asean china tariffs 14mai2

ASEAN ASKS CHINA TO CUT TARIFFS NEXT YEAR

   Singapore, May 13 (VNA) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will ask China to start reducing tariffs first, as from 2003.
   The request will be presented at the first meeting on the ASEAN-China free trade area in Singapore on May 15. It is prompted by ASEAN's concern about Chinese goods flooding the region in the event that both ASEAN and China apply tariff cuts at the same time.
   ASEAN member countries maintain that China should be the first to cut its tariffs to give preferential treatment to ASEAN members. First and foremost, China was asked to cut its tariffs on garments and textiles, farm produce, as well as electric products.
   Among ASEAN group, Thailand and Singapore have actively responded to the signing of a free trade area agreement with China while the Philippines and other ASEAN members remain hesitant about the agreement. So, China will make certain concessions if it wants all 10 ASEAN countries to join FTA.--Enditem