US says Malaysia trade deal may not conclude by March

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Reuters) The United States believes a free-trade pact with Malaysia is achievable though it may not be concluded by an end-March deadline, a top US trade negotiator said today.

The United States will continue attempting to resolve difficult issues, Barbara Weisel, assistant US Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, told reporters at the end of a fifth round of talks on the proposed pact.

The Bush administration needs to reach a deal by the end of March so it can be submitted to Congress before its trade promotion authority expires on July 1.

That legislation requires lawmakers to approve or reject trade pacts without making any changes.

REUTERS PDM VV1320