WASHINGTON, DC - The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) today praised U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert for scheduling a vote for the week of May 22nd on legislation granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with China.

In order for the U.S. high-tech industry to fully enjoy the benefits of China's membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Congress must first pass legislation extending Permanent Normal Trade Relations Status (PNTR) to China. WTO rules require that member nations grant each other unconditional normal trade relations status. Under current law, China's trade relations status is reviewed annually.

"Open trade with China - the world's biggest and single-most promising emerging market, with more than one billion potential customers - will play a critical role in keeping the U.S. economy moving forward," said EIA President Dave McCurdy, whose organization's number-one legislative goal this year is the swift Congressional passage of permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with China. "Speaker Hastert has shown great courage and leadership and clearly understands the importance of this vote for our nation's high tech and electronic industries. This is, without question, the most important trade vote of the decade."

Trade with China is vital to the growth and continued global competitiveness of the high-tech electronics industry. China is expected to become the largest market in the world for U.S. semiconductor manufacturers, computer manufacturers, software manufacturers, telecommunication manufactures, and internet service providers.

The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) is a partnership of electronic and high-tech associations and companies committed to shared knowledge and shared influence. Comprised of more than 2,100 members that provide two million jobs for American workers, EIA represents 80 percent of the $550 billion U.S. electronics industry. EIA's sector associations and members represent consumer electronics, telecommunications, components, government electronics, semiconductor standards, as well as many other vital areas of the U.S. electronics industry.