51.   Southeast Asian economic ministers agreed Wednesday on a formula for resolving disputes on tariff reductions, hoping to settle a troublesome auto industry spat between Thailand and Malaysia.

52.   Southeast Asian nations on Thursday diluted their free trade pact by allowing members to delay tariff reductions, but endorsed greater trade with China and Japan.

53.   Thailand, as well as South Korea, Taiwan and Japan, have asked that flexible time frames and tariff reductions within the sectors be negotiable.

54.   Taiwan also agreed to staggered tariff reductions and other concessions to reduce trade barriers as part of its bid to join the World Trade Organization.

55.   The agreement also featured tariff reductions on a wide range of manufactured products, Smith said.

56.   The council is to assist in the implementation of the APEC action plans for tariff reductions and other business-sector priorities.

57.   The Custom Department will decide on the criteria and conditions on the tariff reductions.

58.   The fourth round focused on establishing rules of origin and mechanisms to resolve disputes, in addition to tariff reductions, Zabludovsky said.

59.   The individual plans for opening markets will not be announced until November, but include tariff reductions, recognition of product standards from other countries and travel liberalization.

60.   The individual plans for opening markets will not be announced until November, but include tariff reductions, recognition of product standards from other countries, and travel liberalization.