Barshefsky in China to Negotiate WTO Bid

Top U.S. trade negotiator Charlene Barshefsky arrives in Beijing today to meet Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji in a hastily arranged attempt to sort out problems in Beijing’s bid to join the World Trade Organization by the end of this year. European and U.S. trade officials say China’s bid to join the WTO before year’s end fell into doubt after recent talks in Geneva stalled over how Beijing would implement rules on intellectual property and meet other obligations. And U.S. officials sought to dampen expectations for Barshefsky’s dramatic flying visit, saying it could prove difficult to settle outstanding issues. “They’re going to be looking at the big-picture issues,” said one Western diplomat. “She’s coming out here to give the word from the horse’s mouth,” referring to President Clinton, who hopes to see China in the WTO before his term ends in January.