Washington, D.C. — A New Jersey Congressman addressed back -to- back labor rallies today opposing PNTR for China. Several buses of New Jersey’s working men and women made the trip to be present and to add their opposition to the President’s proposal to grant most favored nation trading status to Red China.

“Because organized labor has drawn a bright line in the sand and said “Not this year - not ever again until China reforms,” the fight to protect American workers from grossly unfair trade with a brutal Chinese dictatorship, is winnable,” said Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4), Chairman of the International Operations and Human Rights Sub-Committee. “And I believe we will win because we are committed, because we are absolutely determined and because we are right,” added Smith.

“Today, egregious abuse in China is commonplace,” said Smith. “Even the State Department’s Human Rights Report makes clear that religious, political and labor violations have all increased with each passing year. The deplorable state of worker’s rights in China not only shows that Chinese men, women and children are exploited, but that U.S. workers are severely hurt by the unfair advantage in trade by competitors who choose to benefit from heinous labor practices,” added Smith, who has led three human rights missions to China. 

Smith, one of only four members of Congress invited to speak at the AFL-CIO rally, and the only Republican, pointed out that Chinese workers are denied freedom of association and the right to organize and bargain collectively. Chinese labor activists are routinely imprisoned in re-education camps when they talk to journalists, speak out about labor conditions, corruption, inadequate wages, or if they try to unionize.

“It is no wonder the trade imbalance in China’s favor is a staggering $70 billion this year,” said Smith.  “Let’s be clear, human rights violations in China are robbing Americans of their jobs and livelihood and it must stop,” added Smith. 

“The deplorable state of worker’s rights in China not only shows that Chinese men, women and children are exploited, but that U.S. workers are severely hurt by the unfair advantage in trade by corporations who choose to benefit from heinous labor practices,” said Smith.  “Let’s also be clear.  We don’t advocate isolation.  What we want - what we demand - is principled engagement.  A fair playing field. Respect for workers rights in China. A grant of permanent MFN rewards a dictatorship that needs to be taken to the woodshed,” added Smith.