The two Senators behind a bill proposing punitive tariffs on US imports from China said they were undecided on whether to take the issue to a vote, Reuters reported. Senators Charles Schumer and Lindsey Graham, whose bill advocates a 27.5% tariff if Beijing does not significantly raise the value of its currency within six months, spoke out after meeting with US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. Paulson visited China last week and launched a high-level dialogue aimed at addressing the flashpoints in the relationship between the two countries. Schumer said they had confidence in Paulson's ability to press China on the currency issue, but felt more pressure may be needed. The Senate leadership has promised a vote on the bill, which has already been delayed three times following appeals from the Bush administration, by the end of September. However, Graham said it was possible a vote on the bill could be pushed off to a "lame duck" Senate session after November's congressional elections.
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