Press Conference: Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China

March 1, 2000

Thank you all for coming this morning. I called this press conference to discuss an issue of great importance to all Americans. Everybody will be affected by our trade relationship with China.

As most of you know, for the past couple years I have opposed the annual extension of normal trade relations to China. I have done so for a variety of reasons, one of which was I felt that past extensions had given China open access to our markets, but did not do the same for American companies, or our farmers, in the Chinese market. Our relationship was based upon one failed agreement after another. But things are different this time.

This time, the one-way road of trade will be replaced by a two-way expressway—with traffic regulations to prevent collisions.

The bilateral agreement reached between the United States and China concerning China’s accession to the WTO is one of great promise. The concessions made by the Chinese are significant and indicate a change in China’s trading regime. We now have an agreement under which China will finally open its markets to American exports.

Furthermore, once China joins the WTO, it joins the international trade community and agrees to abide by its rules. Although the WTO does not have its own enforcement authority, it does have international opinion and the collective will of its members to encourage nations to comply with WTO rules. China will be held accountable for its trade policies like never before.

In addition, the unprecedented access the agreement provides American businesses to the Chinese will expose Chinese society to democratic influences like never before. For the first time, we have a real opportunity to introduce western ideology and values into this communist nation. The exposure to western ideas and the increased access to international communications, like the internet, will lead the Chinese to develop a more prosperous and free society.

The stakes on this issue are very high. Whether Congress grants permanent Normal Trade Relations or not, China will enter the WTO. If we reject PNTR, America will be forced to watch from the sidelines as other nations, our competitors, take advantage of the new market opportunities. We cannot let that happen.

I remain concerned about China’s abuse of human rights and its aggressive foreign policy towards its neighbors and the United States, but I believe this is the best opportunity we have for Chinese society to become more democratic.

I hope my colleagues in the House of Representatives will consider carefully the benefits and consequences of their vote. This debate is not the same as the one in which we have engaged in the past. We are not deciding whether to open our markets to China, we are deciding whether we will have access to China’s. Whether we will give our businesses the opportunity to thrive in a global economy. And whether we will take the opportunity to effectively influence the Peoples’ Republic of China.

I urge President Clinton to submit soon his proposal for extending permanent normal trade relations to China.

Again, thank you all for coming today. I am happy to have with me today Congressman David Dreier, Chairman of the House Rules Committee and the Republican Leadership’s point person on trade. Also here are representatives from organizations which are dedicated to passing PNTR this year. They are:

• Patricia Hanahan Engman of The Business Roundtable;
• Craig Johnstone of the US Chamber of Commerce;
• John Savercool of the American Insurance Association; and
• Mary Kay Thatcher of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Each will come forward in a minute to make some comments.

But first, I would like to welcome my friend, David Dreier to say a few words.