This year, Congress faces some important trade votes, and one of the most significant should be the granting of Permanent Normal Trade Relations to China (PNTR). The United States has reached a milestone bilateral trade agreement with China, which is a major step towards China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is extraordinarily important for the United States that China complete its accession process and that we receive the resulting economic rewards.

Congressional approval of China's accession into the WTO is not necessary for China to accede to the WTO-that is a process conducted by the WTO itself. Congress will have to approve PNTR for China, however, in order for America to reap the benefits of the concessions China makes to win accession. These concessions are vitally important. Each American-every consumer-benefits widely from lower-cost imported products and the wider variety of product available due to freer trade. But trade is also a two-way street, and that means American business and agriculture gain an extraordinary opportunity to export products or services overseas, which will increase American productivity and create more jobs. But, in order for American business and farmers to be guaranteed an opportunity to benefit from China's trade concessions and better compete in China's markets, China's name must be removed from the so-called Jackson-Vanik amendment, a law which provides for an annual review of China's trade status based on freedom of emigration.

To do otherwise would be a violation of Article I of the Generalized Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which requires the extension of what used to be called "unconditional" Most Favored Nation status (MFN), but is now called Normal Trade Relations status after I introduced a bill changing the terminology. If the U.S. doesn't remove conditions imposed by Jackson-Vanik, we would have to invoke the non-application clause of the GATT, which would give China the power to withhold the benefits of the 1999 bilateral agreement we have already reached. Such a result would be counterproductive and detrimental, as our trading competitors (Europe, Japan, and others) would reap the economic benefits of trade with China while our own farmers, workers, and businesses would suffer.

As one of the leaders in the battle for annual passage of NTR, I am prepared to move toward passage of the permanent NTR for China. However, we can pass the PNTR legislation only if the effort is bipartisan. Trade should not be a Republican or Democrat issue. It is, instead, an American interest, and Republican and Democrats have traditionally joined together in trade policy. Last year, for example, 150 Republicans and 110 Democrats joined together on our annual renewal of NTR for China. Our best chance for success on PNTR is to keep our annual renewal coalition together, with the same proportion of votes. The President must also work with us to achieve our common goal. Our best chance of passing the PNTR legislation is to keep the bill a simple, straightforward amendment to Jackson-Vanik, clean of any other provisions. Otherwise, the PNTR bill has the potential to become trade restricting instead of trade expanding.

We must move on PNTR as soon as possible, as soon as the Administration presents us with a responsible package. China still has to complete bilateral negotiations with other trading partners as well as its multilateral protocol of accession. Later this spring or early summer, I hope that Congress will move on this vote once Members feel comfortable with the terms of the accession. That depends to a large extent on the ability of the Chinese to finish the bilateral and protocol process quickly, as well as on the Administration's ability to provide leadership here in America and abroad in Geneva.

Where do we go from here? We must spread the word that full trade relations with China will benefit Americans, while letting this opportunity die would benefit our foreign competitors. Our economy will grow from the rewards of greater consumer choice and increased export-related productivity. We must now begin review of the agreement America reached with China last fall. The Ways & Means Committee will begin that process this week by holding a hearing on the matter. I am optimistic that this year will be an historic one for the future of trade with China. Let's make that happen.