For the week of September 24, 2000

mportant trade legislation is ready to be signed into law by the President. By a vote of 83 to 15, the Senate recently approved a bill to extend Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to China. I am glad that the Senate acted on this bill, which was passed in the House of Representatives last May by a vote of 237 to 197. I voted in favor of PNTR, not only because of the benefits that American farmers and businesses stand to gain in terms of increased trade, which are substantial, but also because of the impact approval of PNTR will have for U.S. national security and stability in Asia.

A solid trade relationship with China, with its huge potential markets, is important to Missouri. In 1998, China was Missouri's sixth most important export market and the United States' fourth largest trading partner. The agreement that the Administration reached with China last November concerning China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) commits China to eliminate export subsidies and lower tariffs dramatically, reduce its farm supports, and play by the same trade rules as we do.

China is the last major untapped market for American agriculture. During the first six years of the agreement, USDA estimates U.S. agriculture exports to China will increase by a total of $7.5 billion. Without Congressional approval of PNTR for China, the only winners would be our international competitors who would welcome the chance to gain market share that would otherwise go to U.S. farmers and benefit the entire agriculture community.

Congressional approval of PNTR also has implications for U.S. national security. Early this year, I led a small House Armed Services Committee delegation on a trip to the Asia-Pacific region. Although we did not visit China, we did find in our meetings with officials how much other nations in Asia value America's presence and engagement in the region to promote stability. The state of U.S.-China relations is critical to the future stability, prosperity, and peace in Asia. Encouraging China to participate in global economic institutions is in our interest because it will bring China under a system of global trade rules and draw it into the world community. It is in our long term interest to develop a relationship with China that is stable and predictable.

China will enter the WTO based upon the votes of all 135 WTO members. Denial of PNTR by the U.S. would not affect China's entry into the WTO, but rejecting PNTR after last year's negotiated agreement would diminish our credibility and our ability to make a difference in China. Approval of PNTR will allow American farmers, workers, and businesses to take advantage of opening markets in China and our continued involvement in China can help in working toward other reforms.

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