Trade Minister Tuyen : Vietnam expected to join WTO "in early 2007 at the latest"

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Mon, Oct 2, 2006. Vietnam’s hope to be a World Trade Organization member by the time President George W. Bush visits Hanoi in November looked in doubt on Monday after U.S. trade officials said there may not be a final deal soon.

“It’ll happen when all the issues are resolved. But the calendar does not trump the substance,” said Sean Spicer, a spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office.

“We are making progress with their WTO compliance issues,” but have not set any deadlines for a deal, Spicer said. “It takes a lot of work from a lot of parties.”

Spicer referred to recent statements by Vietnamese Trade Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen, which he said indicated Hanoi no longer expects to be a WTO member by the APEC meeting.

Tuyen was quoted last month saying Vietnam expected to join the WTO “in early 2007 at the latest.”

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