US House of Representatives may approve PNTR with Vietnam
However, the Senate vote will not be done before December. Approving the PNTR with Vietnam will be one of the final steps in the process of nomalising relations between the US and Vietnam which began in 1995.
Grant Aldonas, a trade expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said the US congress should ratify the PNTR to benefit US businesses after Vietnam joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Mr Aldonas said with the Democratic Party dominating both houses, the approval of the PNTR with Vietnam will be a test of their willingness to fulfil their commitments with Asian partners.
Earlier on November 9, US President George Bush urged Congress to early approve the PNTR with Vietnam, considering it a priority in its foreign policy before the current 109th Congressional session ends in a few weeks.
Addressing a Cabinet meeting, President Bush said that there remain some issues that “need to be addressed before the current Congress finishes its legislative session” and that “We need to pass trade legislation that will enable us to recognise Vietnam as a member of the World Trade Organisation.” (VOV)
Last modified 13-11-2006