AFL-CIO President John Sweeney Sends Letter Urging Members of Congress to Oppose Permanent Normal Trade Relations Status for China January 31, 2000 Help | Search:

Washington, D.C. — Today AFL-CIO President John Sweeney sent a letter to members of Congress urging them to reject permanent normal trade relations for China.

Citing China's consistent noncompliance with previous trade agreements with the U.S. and its repeated and flagrant violations of fundamental human rights, Sweeney wrote, "the Administration has made a "grave miscalculation of the costs and benefits of bringing China into the WTO under the terms of the recently negotiated agreement."

"To suggest that China's entry into the World Trade Organization will bring it under the rule of law is simply wishful thinking. Chinese government officials have stated that they have no intention of complying with the spirit or letter of the bilateral WTO accession agreement in a number of areas," he continued.

Building on its successful mobilization with working families, people of faith, and environmental activists this past November at the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle, the 13 million member AFL-CIO is launching a national effort to mobilize working families to send a strong message to Congress in opposition of permanent NTR for China.

For Information: Naomi Walker 202/637-5093