Senate Finance Committee has approved to clear the way for Vietnam's entry into the World Trade Organization.
Vietnam and the US accomplished negotiations for that country to join the WTO, and an annual review of that country's tariff rights violates WTO rules.
The House committee has not yet considered the Vietnam measure.
Vietnam's terms for joining the WTO is opposed by many US textile producers as well as lawmakers concerned about religious freedom in the Southeast Asian nation.
The panel also voted in favor of a free-trade agreement with Peru in a procedural vote.
A US-Peruvian agreement to end trade tariffs between the two nations would boost US exports by US $1.1 billion a year, with the sales of chemicals, machinery and wheat.
A full Senate vote on both measures is likely in September 2006.
Fibre2fashion, News Desk - Vietnam
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