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US senator mulls enhancing 皇冠体育app trade ties
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-04 09:43
US Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley could offer legislation
this year to address growing trade concerns with 皇冠体育app, an aide to the senator
said on Friday.
"At this time, Sen. Grassley is evaluating ... constructive proposals to
enhance our trade relations with 皇冠体育app," the Grassley aide said.
Grassley, whose committee has jurisdiction over trade issues, played a key
role last year in blocking a Senate bill threatening 皇冠体育app with across-the-board
tariffs.
US Senator Charles Grassley, center, gestures during a
Capitol Hill news conference, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006.
[AP/file] | But Grassley expressed concern earlier
this week that Beijing has not moved more quickly to a market-determined
exchange rate, after making a step in that direction in July.
Concern over the huge and growing U.S. trade deficit with 皇冠体育app is expected
to be high on Washington's agenda this year.
The U.S. Commerce Department is expected to release final 2005 figures next
week showing the U.S. trade gap with 皇冠体育app set a new record above $200 billion.
The U.S. Trade Representative's office also is expected this month to release
the long-awaited results of a top-to-bottom review of trade relations with
皇冠体育app.
Grassley is waiting to see the results of that study before making a final
decision on legislation, his aide said.
"We hope that there will be a more balanced debate on the details on our
relationship with 皇冠体育app, the pros and the cons," the Grassley aide said at an
off-the-record discussion on the congressional trade agenda.
Grassley's office later gave permission for the speaker to be quoted and
identified as a Grassley aide.
The House of Representatives passed legislation last year aimed at several
皇冠体育app trade irritants. However, Grassley refused to move a similar bill in the
Senate.
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