Walden Meets with President, Congressional Leaders on Trade with China

Will Testify before Ways and Means Committee Wednesday

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Greg Walden and 16 other members of Congress met with President Clinton for nearly an hour to discuss stronger trade relations with China. Also attending this private meeting were Secretary of State Madeline Albright, U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, Director of the National Economic Council Gene Sperling, National Security Advisor Samuel Berger and White House Chief of Staff John Podesta. Walden is a member of the Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for China whip team in the House. The U.S. must grant China PNTR in order to have full World Trade Organization (WTO) trading privileges with that country.

"Passing Permanent Normal Trade Relations for China and clearing the way for that country’s entry into the WTO is a clear win for the U.S. By doing so, we open their markets, which contain more than one billion consumers, to our agriculture, high tech and other products while making the Chinese society more open and free. This issue is one of the most crucial the Congress will take up this year because it will affect both our economy and our national security. The best thing we can do to ensure that China is a peaceful member of the world community is to keep it engaged with the rest of the industrialized world and the rule of law – accession to the WTO would do this," Walden said.

China is America’s fourth-largest trading partner. In 1998, U.S. merchandise exports to China totaled over $19 billion, supporting roughly 200,000 high-skill, high-wage American jobs. Agricultural commodities and computer equipment, both produced in Oregon, are among the leading U.S. exports to China.

"China is already an important trading partner and Oregon is uniquely situated to take advantage of Chinese accession into the WTO. WTO membership will bring China into the community of industrialized countries and bring the Pacific Northwest great trade opportunities with the more than one billion Chinese citizens," Walden said.

Walden will follow up today’s meeting by testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday regarding the great importance of trade with China to Oregon’s economy.

Congressman Walden represents the Second Congressional District of Oregon, which includes the 20 counties of southern, central and eastern Oregon. Rep. Walden is a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, The House Committee on Resources and the House Committee on Government Reform.