News Release from Congressman Greg Ganske

September 22th, 2000

This week, the United States Senate completed its work on one of the most important trade bills to be considered by Congress in a long time. By a vote of 83-15, the Senate joined the House of Representatives in approving Permanent Normal Trade Relations for the People's Republic of China, clearing the way for American farmers and businesses to participate in a growing international economy. The vote has long been anticipated, coming four months after the House approved PNTR in May.

PNTR will strengthen our position in relationship to the Chinese, improving our ability to influence the human rights and foreign policies of Beijing and reducing tensions which threaten to disrupt international peace and stability.

The bilateral treaty signed by the U.S. and China contains a long list of Chinese concessions...not American ones. For decades, the Chinese have had significant access to our markets without providing reciprocal access to theirs. This resulted in a trade deficit growing in China's favor. Annual review of our trading relationship with China has done nothing to influence China's policies nor has it improved our trading position. This new trade agreement changes that.

America's farmers are entering yet another year of expected low prices. To help them, we must provide them with markets in which to sell their products. Opening the Great Wall of China to American agricultural products will dramatically increase their value and provide a great opportunity for continued growth. Is it a guaranteed market? Of course not. But we at least have the opportunity to replace the one -way road of trade from China to America with a two-way expressway in which American goods and services are readily available to Chinese consumers.

And this has an additional benefit-along with our goods and services, we will be exporting American values of freedom and democracy, which will help open China's society and promote meaningful change.

I agree with those who argue we must not abandon our foreign policy objectives and international moral leadership in exchange for economic benefit. But this agreement does not sacrifice one for the other-it accomplishes both. Clearly, it serves our economic interest to export American products to China. But it also satisfies the objectives of our foreign policy to expose Chinese society to Western values and traditions.

The best chance we have to address Chinese human rights violations is by actively engaging the Chinese people politically and economically. We cannot defend fair labor practices in China by staying at home, by defaulting on our obligation to stand up for the rights of workers and democratic values. We do not need to dispatch an army to carry forth our values and market system. Our farmers, our workers and our business people have the tools to do that job and they will.

I applaud the Senate's vote and I applaud Iowa's Congressional Delegation for its commitment to the opportunities provided by PNTR. All of us-both U.S. Senators and all five Representatives-voted for PNTR. Now, let our farmers and businessmen take advantage of the great opportunity which has been opened for them.

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