China's Premier Zhu Rongji and President Clinton meet today and tomorrow with China's World Trade Organization membership high on the agenda.  There are no official indications trade issues will be resolved to allow U.S. support for China's entry, but it seems an ideal time to announce such a pact.

Reuters, in several reports filed Wednesday, said U.S. and Chinese negotiators made "significant" progress in trade talks, determined to finalize a pact in time for Zhu's visit.  Negotiators planned to work well into last night to resolve the remaining differences.

Agricultural issues were among the remaining sticking points in getting a deal ready for official signatures.

China relaxed restrictions on U.S. citrus imports, a move welcomed by California's citrus industry.  Reuters quoted Claire Peters, spokesperson for Sunkist, that the company was "pleased" with the agreement.

Zhu also has said China no longer will ban wheat imports from seven Northwest states and will accept a low level of TCK smut in wheat shipments.  Reuters also quoted an anonymous U.S. grain industry official as saying that would be acceptable to U.S. wheat interests.

Allowing 30,000 spores per 50 grams of grain "almost never happens," this official said.  "It would be a real rarity."

In a report from Shanghai, Reuters also said China likely will lower its high import duties on beef and pork.  China now imposes a 45% import duty on beef and 20% on pork in addition to a 17% value-added tax.