Number: RL33490
Title: Vietnam PNTR Status and WTO Accession: Issues and Implications for the United States
Authors: Mark E. Manyin and William H. Cooper, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division; Bernard A. Gelb, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: On December 8, 2006, the House passed legislation (212-184) to grant Vietnam permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status as part of a more comprehensive trade bill (H.R. 6406). Pursuant to H.Res. 1100, the bill was then coupled with a taxextension bill (H.R. 6111) and sent to the Senate. The Senate passed the combined bills (79-9) on December 8. On December 20, 2006, President Bush signed the bill into law (P.L.109-432) and, per the law, proclaimed PNTR for Vietnam on December 29, 2006. The legislation also codified a provision of the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral agreement on Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) authorizing the reimposition of quotas on imports of textiles or wearing apparel, if Vietnam subsidizes those industries in violation of WTO rules.
Pages: 27
Date: January 9, 2007