My guess would be Nov 15, the earliest. That is already very optimistic, given the timeline uncertainty. Let's cross our fingers and hope Nov 15 is the day for Viet WTO supporters to celebrate.
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Delay warning over US legislation giving Vietnam normal trade status ....
Granting Vietnam PNTR would be "a move of great historic and commercial value," they reminded the US leader.
Bush's Republican party, which controls both the House of Representatives and Senate, seems reluctant to bring up any trade bills to the floor prior to the mid-term November Congressional elections due to other priorities, and scheduling and time constraints.
A vote on the legislation, which grants Vietnam permanent most-favored nation status, is unlikely to be taken before Congress adjourns later this month ahead of the November 7 polls, an industry publication, Inside US Trade, reported Friday.
After the elections, Congress is likely to resume on the week of November 13, leaving only a small window before Bush attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on November 18-19.
Elections results also could change the political equation in Congress.