(WASHINGTON, D.C.)-Following today's announcement by President Clinton that he'll send Congress legislation to grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status, The Business Roundtable (BRT) pledged to conduct an all-out effort to ensure passage of the measure.

"This legislation will create a world of new opportunities for America's workers, farmers and businesses. The truly remarkable thing about the trade agreement that will come to life with the passage of this legislation is that the United States gives up nothing - China already has access to our markets. This is a win-win proposition for America, and it deserves strong, bipartisan support in Congress," said Philip M. Condit, Chairman, BRT Task Force on International Trade and Investment. Condit is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Boeing Company.

"This may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the United States. By passing PNTR legislation, Congress will be knocking down hundreds of barriers that are slowing U.S. exports to China's 1.3 billion-person marketplace. It will also help to make the world a safer place by choosing engagement over isolation. By engaging China commercially the Chinese will be exposed to not only democratic ideals and values, but Western environmental and fair labor standards," added Condit.

The BRT is supporting the passage of PNTR legislation in Washington and nationally through its goTRADE organization. The goTRADE initiative is a national grassroots trade education campaign that has mobilized thousands of individuals and businesses across America to call on Congress to pass PNTR. For more information visit www.brt.org and http://www.gotrade.org/.