1、1 Before Laos was granted NTR status in November 2004, the LPDR was one of only threecountries (Cuba, Laos, and North Korea) that did not have normal trade relations with the UnitedStates.2 Vaudine England, “Laotians Are Divided over U.S. Trade,” Wall Street Journal, September 1,2004; Daniel Loverin
2、g, “Former Enemies Wage Battle over U.S. Trade with Laos,” AssociatedPress, January 12, 2004; Frederic J. Frommer, “Free Trade Deal for Laos Splits HmongCommunity,” Associated Press, May 6, 2003.Order Code RS20931Updated February 5, 2007Laos: Background and U.S. RelationsThomas LumSpecialist in Asia
3、n AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryFor several years, U.S.-Laos relations were dominated by the debate over whetherto grant normal trade relations status to Laos. On November 19, 2004, Congressapproved legislation that granted nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of L
4、aos.The Lao governments alleged poor treatment of former CIA-trained Hmong guerillaswas a key factor in the debate and remains a point of contention between the twocountries. The United States and Laos cooperate in important areas, includingrecovering remains of Americans missing in action (MIAs) fr
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