April 22

The top Republican and Democrat on the House Ag Committee say they are encouraged about the progress made in negotiating the rules for China's accession to the World Trade Organization as U.S. and Chinese negotiators reopened talks in Beijing to resolve the remaining issues for China's WTO membership.

U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky briefed House Agriculture Committee members on the agricultural issues resolved in earlier negotiations.

"China has closed its market for far too long to high quality U.S. meat, wheat, citrus and poultry.  Under this agreement, China will accept specific science-based standards and our farmers and ranchers will have access to the vast Chinese market," said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX) and ranking Democrat Rep. Charles Stenholm (TX).

"If the preliminary agreements reached remain a part of a final agreement with China, significant progress has been made," they added.

In a report filed from Beijing, Reuters said U.S. and Chinese negotiators have reopened talks to resolve remaining issues in China's bid for WTO membership.  U.S. Assistant Trade Representative Robert Cassidy and China's top WTO negotiator Long Yongtu held a 30-minute meeting behind closed doors.  Cassidy, prior to the talks, said, "We hope to have some very productive discussions."