Trade

During much of 2000, the UAW and a broad coalition of labor, environmental, religious, human rights and other groups mounted a campaign to defeat legislation granting permanent Normal Trade Relations to China. We emphasized that the U.S.-China trade deal did not require China to recognize basic worker and human rights. And it also lacked adequate safeguards against surges of Chinese imports that could threaten the jobs of American workers. For these reasons, we believed it made no sense for Congress to grant China a "blank check" by eliminating the annual congressional review of its trade status.

Unfortunately, the Clinton administration, GOP congressional leaders and a broad cross section of the business and agricultural communities mounted a well-financed campaign in support of PNTR. In the end, they were able to enact this legislation. The House approved PNTR in May by a vote of 237-197; the Senate approved this measure in September by a vote of 83-15.

Despite this disappointing setback, the UAW continues to be actively involved in the campaign for global fairness. We remain convinced that future trade agreements must incorporate worker and human rights, not just corporate interests.

In this Section:

Introduction
Trade
Worker Rights
Health Care
Budget, Taxes and Appropriations
Human Rights
Conclusion
How Your Representatives & Senators Voted

In This
Section:

Introduction

Trade

Worker Rights

Health Care

Budget, Taxes
and Appropriations

Human Rights

Conclusion

How Your Reps & Senators Voted