A United States Senate vote on Permanent Normal Trading Relations (PNTR) for the mainland appears to be on track for passage before the body's July 4 recess.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Susan Shirk said yesterday in Hong Kong that permanently guaranteeing mainland goods low-tariff access to the US was a legislative priority for the Clinton administration.
At present, the mainland's normal trade relations status must be renewed each year, though in a contentious vote last month, the House of Representatives agreed - by a wide 237 to 197 margin - to make it permanent.
'But the end game remains to be played out in the Senate,' Ms Shirk said at a breakfast meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce.
'Our concern is not with ensuring a majority of votes but with the timing of the vote.' Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, a Republican, has not committed to a timetable for Senate consideration of the issue and has signalled he will allow amendments, a move that could delay or endanger the bill's passage.
If the Senate attaches amendments, the House would need to vote again, forcing legislators to take a stand amid election-year campaigning.
Organised labour, which is among the Democratic Party's strongest supporters, opposes PNTR for the mainland and could withhold support in the November elections.
