(WASHINGTON, DC) Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez made the following comments regarding today's vote on permanent normal trade relations with China. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on HR 4444 today:

"Throughout the course of the US-China permanent normal trade relations debate, I have closely reviewed China's trade, human rights, and international relations record," said Congressman Rodriguez. "In these areas, I have not been convinced that the United States should surrender the only non-military leverage currently available.

"The Chinese government has a consistent record of violating every trade agreement formed with the United States since 1979. China continues rampant civil and religious rights abuses and continues to contribute to escalating international security fears in Asia and throughout the world. The period of maximum incentive for Beijing to be showing a friendly face to the world – and particularly to the United States -- is right now. Instead, in the last few months the Chinese leaders have threatened Taiwan, instituted major crackdowns of dissidents, and reneged on promises to open up the Chinese markets to US products.

"In past sessions of Congress, I have supported trade with China through the annual most favored nation (MFN) review process but, at this time, I have not been convinced of the need to relinquish Congressional oversight. I recognize the vast market opportunity, but by granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to China, I am concerned that we will be exporting American jobs and autonomy, not American products. Granting the permanent trade status to China without a full understanding of the impacts it will have on our domestic markets and producers is not, in my opinion, a responsible position for Congress to take.

"Congressional leadership has not been diligent in its responsibility to protect our domestic producers. This debate has brought to my attention the need to enforce existing trade laws and to ensure compliance with the trade agreements China consistently violates. I do not want to unilaterally grant this oversight authority to the World Trade Organization or any other foreign governmental agency. The WTO, an organization comprised of US trade competitors, is obviously not committed to protecting US trade interests abroad.

"Even the most conservative estimates show China's accession to the WTO will not magically create an immediate market for American industries. I have urged caution in considering the costs and benefits of the trade agreement before we commit legally to any agreement that gives away control over our own trade policies. The issue may be revisited when China makes a good-faith effort to adhere to the rules and regulations imposed by the WTO.

"Unfortunately, I have seen no independent studies that thoroughly explore the impacts of free trade with China on individual sectors of our economy. Trade liberalization, especially in the case of China's mammoth import and export markets, will create big winners and big losers. Congress' job is to insure the welfare of both groups, not to provide the vehicle to transport jobs, production facilities and technology out of the United States. I am taking that charge very seriously."

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