HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS URGED TO SUPPORT TRADE TIES WITH VIETNAM

HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS URGED TO SUPPORT TRADE TIES WITH VIETNAM    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce asked the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee to endorse legislation to promote the normalization of trade with Vietnam.
   The chamber also asked Congress to uphold President Bush’s waiver of the Jackson-Vanik provisions of the 1974 Trade Act — the first step in extending most-favored-nation status to Vietnam. This status is needed to the United States to receive the benefits from the recently completed U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement.
   The president’s waiver also allows federal agencies involved in trade promotion, export assistance and investment development to help U.S. shippers to export to Vietnam.
   “Without access to these programs, American businesses would be placed at a competitive disadvantage in relation to foreign competitors that receive export subsidies from their home governments,” the chamber said.
   The House of Representatives has consistently rejected annual efforts to overturn the president’s trade waiver for Vietnam. Last year’s vote was by an overwhelming margin (324-91).
   “The increase in congressional support for trade with Vietnam reflected in part the realization that the bilateral trade agreement benefits American business and is the best way to bring political and market reforms,” the chamber said.