This delay will mean that the administration must once again face the issue of renewing annual normal trade relations status. U.S. law requires the president to do this by June 3. Then Congress has the option of debating and voting it down. Many in Congress thought that they had put this issue behind them and have little stomach for another full-blown debate. There are really no guarantees, but this is the only viable choice for the United States.
China is still in the process of becoming a market economy.
Rules are confusing and often ignored. It could very well take many years to make serious headway in market development. Over the next 10 years or so, there will be a very painful adjustment period as China's trade partners push for full implementation of WTO rules and market access. Many in China will try to resist change, foreign competition will challenge China's domestic industries, and trade disputes will proliferate. As painful as this process will be and as frustrating for foreign companies trying to do business there, China's entry into the WTO is the only way to address the trade gap.