WASHINGTON-U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky rejected China’s latest proposal to open its telecommunications service market, further complicating China’s bid to become a member of the World Trade Organization.
It appears unlikely there will be any breakthroughs on U.S.-Sino telecom trade before President Clinton ends his visit to Communist China on Friday.
While China, potentially the largest export market for wireless products and services in the future, has opened its telecom equipment market to Motorola Inc., Lucent Technologies Inc. and others, its service sector remains closed.
Despite the snafu on Chinese WTO membership, House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said last week he will schedule votes this summer and fall on renewing most-favored-nation trade status for China, fast-track trade authority and other trade-related initiatives.
