21.   Tuesday, almost all those on the Finance Committee asked questions about trade matters of particular concern in their states.

22.   We have some issues between ourselves and the Chinese, some issues involving nontrade matters and trade matters such as intellectual property rights.

23.   What the Mercosur move shows is that without fast-track authority for the president, the U.S. will abdicate its leadership role in trade matters.

24.   While the U.S. prefers to settle trade matters directly with Japan, this is not always the case.

25.   With Bush in the White House, labor is likely to see its hand weakened even further on trade matters.

26.   Astrid Mohn, spokeswoman for the German Economics Ministry, said ministry officials have gone Tehran to discuss the credits and other trade matters.

27.   Australian officials down played talk of division on the issue and instead stressed that the forum would concentrate on trade matters.

28.   But of primary concern to the U-S business community will be a large number of trade matters.

29.   China and other APEC members pointed out that the group has previously agreed not to discriminate against its members in trade matters.

30.   Despite the vote by the House committee with jurisdiction over trade matters, sponsors still expected a close floor vote.