''I would think, absent considerable deterioration of the relationship, that would be the case,'' Ms Veneman said during a briefing at the US embassy in Quebec City.

Senator Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, said he also expected Mr Bush to extend normal trade relations despite the recent diplomatic crisis when a US spy plane collided with a Chinese military jet.

''I think the weight is on the side of [Mr Bush] trying to do that,'' Senator Grassley said.

But the Chinese will also have to demonstrate a more co-operative attitude over the next few weeks, Senator Grassley said.

''I think they've got a couple of months to help the president make sure what they want - permanent normal trade relations - gets through the House of Representatives,'' Senator Grassley added.

Ms Veneman and Senator Grassley were in Quebec City for a summit of leaders from Americas to advance a free-trade pact for all western hemisphere countries, except Cuba.

By early June, Mr Bush will have to decide whether to renew the mainland's normal trade relations status for another year, a decision that Congress would have the opportunity to overturn.

Under normal trade relations status, countries can ship goods into the United States with the lowest possible tariffs.

Last year, Congress voted to end the annual trade status review for China and instead grant it permanent normal trade status. But that will not take effect until Chinese mainland becomes a member of the World Trade Organisation.

(China Daily 04/22/2001)