Copyright 2000 The Denver Post Corporation
The
Denver Post
May 10, 2000 Wednesday 2D EDITION
SECTION: DENVER & THE WEST; Pg. B-11
LENGTH: 719 words
HEADLINE:
Colorado, U.S. win in China pact
BYLINE: Will Matson,
GUEST COMMENTARY,
BODY:
The U.S. Congress faces a
historic vote this year: Should we establish permanent normal trade
relations with China? With so much at stake for America's leading
high-tech manufacturing community, which has a significant presence
in Colorado, the answer should be a resounding 'yes.'
If we
fail to normalize trade relations with China, we would enable the
rest of the world to gain access to China's market, while the United
States would be locked out and would lose the opportunity to
influence China positively as it evolves.
Permanently normalizing trade
relations with China will significantly advance the economic
interests of U.S. businesses - from agriculture to autos to high
tech. With two-thirds of Colorado's exports attributed to high-tech
products and services, Colorado stands to benefit greatly from
increased access to China's market.
China is predicted to be
the world's second-largest personal computer and telecommunications
market by the end of this year. The number of Internet users in China
has risen to 9 million already, and is projected to more than double
by the end of the year.
The projected increase in sales for
the information-technology industry will help create higher-wage
jobs and even greater job opportunities. In Colorado alone, there
are at least 6,000 jobs still unfilled in the high-tech arena.
To continue high-tech's strength and vibrancy, our industry needs
to secure exports and sales abroad, and China is a key market
for Colorado businesses to achieve that goal.
The problems of
high Chinese tariffs and no predictable legal recourse in that
country are problems that would be eliminated or greatly diminished
with the U.S.-China trade agreement. For the first time, China would
operateunder the same rules that most countries of the world follow.
They have agreed to eliminate tariffs on high-technology products by
2005, and U.S. companies would have access to and compete on a more
level playing field in China's market. And benefits will extend
beyond the high-tech sector to agriculture and many other small,
medium and large U.S. businesses.However, in order to realize these
benefits, the United States must permanently normalize trade with
China, which means applying to China the same low tariffs that we
extend to nearly every other country. This country has extended
annual normal trade status to China every year for the past two
decades. This time, by removing the annual review, we receive
unprecedented benefits in return. While the economic arguments are
significant, no discussion of China is complete without decrying
China's intolerance of political, social and religious freedom. China
will not change overnight, but it is gradually improving through
the increased presence of and interaction with U.S. businesses. It
is our belief that we have contributed and must continue
to contribute to positive changes in China through the very
presence and model practices of businesses, like
Hewlett-Packard. American presence already has
planted seeds for greater hopes, dreams and new ideals in the younger
generations of Chinese, through worker benefits and training,
exposure to Western methods and values, and access to information and
the Internet. Extending PNTR to China will expand
these positive influences.While this alone will not immediately stop
abuses in China, it is a far better approach than disengaging from
China and turning our backs on the very people we wish to help. Add
to this the positive direction of integrating China into the world
community, with enforcement through an international
dispute-resolution system and strengthening the rule of law in China,
and the case for approving China PNTR is
even clearer.
While the issues surrounding China are complex
and that nation has a long way to go, the high-tech community
firmly advocates approval of China PNTR. As a
worldwide leader, the United States must provide leadership and
opportunity for our workers, U.S. business at large, and the people
of China. Will Matson is vice president and general manager
of Hewlett-Packard's Storage Organization in Loveland.
LOAD-DATE: May 10, 2000 
