Business Calls Again For
July Vote on Historic PNTR Bill | |
| July 13, 2000 The Honorable Trent Lott United States Senate S-230 of the Capitol Washington D.C. 20510 Dear Mr. Leader: We are deeply concerned by the protracted delays in scheduling a Senate vote on Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China. PNTR will shape U.S.-China trade relations for decades to come. This historic legislation is vitally important to American companies, workers, consumers, and farmers, and deserves the Senate's highest priority. We urge you to bring the PNTR bill to the Senate floor as soon as possible in order to ensure a vote on final passage before the August recess. In every generation, Congress must deal with issues of vital international consequence. On these historic votes, the course of American leadership often rests in the hands of a few. In May, the U.S. House of Representatives met this challenge, when Members from both sides of the aisle -- Republican and Democrat alike -- stepped forward to approve bringing China under the rules of the global trading system. We urge your leadership in scheduling a Senate PNTR vote as soon as possible. The ongoing efforts to redraft a flawed Thompson-Torricelli bill that would single out China for unilateral U.S. non-proliferation sanctions should not be used to permit further delay. While proliferation is an important and serious concern to all Americans, the current Thompson-Torricelli bill is not the solution. This bill would tie the hands of the next President, while imposing huge and lasting costs on American business and agriculture. Any revisions to U.S. non-proliferation laws require a thoughtful and deliberative process, which takes into account the potential consequences for U.S. national security, the view of the Executive Branch, and the views of the next President, who will be charged with their implementation. Shortly, few Americans will recall the political battles waged by this Congress, but history will long remember if a U.S.-China trade agreement is lost in the Senate. Relinquishing an unprecedented opportunity to open China's markets to American goods, services, and farm products; bring China under the rules of the global trading system; and set U.S.-China relations on a positive course for the 21st century would be a mistake of historic proportions. We welcome your strong support for the House-passed PNTR bill and your commitment to oppose any amendments. We urge you to schedule a Senate PNTR vote before the August recess. We look forward to working with you to defeat any and all amendments and to secure overwhelming Senate approval of this historic legislation. Sincerely, Advanced Medical Technology Association Aerospace Industries Association Agricultural Retailers Association AIM, Inc. Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) Alabama World Trade Association The Aluminum Association American Chamber of Commerce in the PeopleUs Republic of China American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai American Chemistry Council American Crop Protection Association American Dental Trade Association American Feed Industry Association American Furniture Manufacturers Association American Lighting Association American Paper Machinery Association American Soybean Association American Sugar Alliance AMT P The Association for Manufacturing Technology Animal Health Institute Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Associated Industries of Arkansas, Inc. Associated Industries of Massachusetts Associated Oregon Industries Automotive Trade Policy Council Biotechnology Industry Organization Business Council of Alabama Business Council of NYS, Inc. The Business Roundtable California Chamber of Commerce California goTRADE Chocolate Manufacturers Association Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry Computer & Communications Industry Association Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) Connecticut goTRADE Construction Industry Manufacturers Association Corn Refiners Association, Inc. Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Electronics Industries Association Emergency Committee for American Trade Farm Equipment Manufacturers Food Distributors International Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association Greater North Dakota Association Grocery Manufacturers of America Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association Illinois Trade Expansion Coalition Independent Community Bankers of America International Association of Food Industry Suppliers International Mass Retail Association Iowa goTRADE Network Kansas Alliance for International Trade Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America Massachusetts goTRADE Network Michigan goTRADE Michigan Manufacturers Association Mid-America International Agri-Trade Council Minnesota goTRADE Mississippi goTRADE Mississippi Manufacturers Association Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) National Association of Animal Breeders National Association of Manufacturing National Association of State Departments of Agriculture National Association of Wheat Growers National Barley Growers Association National CattlemenUs Beef Association National Chicken Council National Confectioners Association National Corn Growers Association National Council of Farmer Cooperatives National Foreign Trade Council National Grain Sorghum Producers National Grain Trade Council National Grange National Livestock Producers Association National Oilseed Processors Association National Pork Producers Council National Potato Council National Renderers Association National Retail Federation National Sunflower Association Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry Nebraska goTRADE New Hampshire goTRADE Coalition New Jersey Business & Industry Association New York goTRADE North American Export Grain Association North American MillersU Association North Carolina goTRADE Northwest Horticultural Council NPES Ohio Alliance for International Trade Pennsylvania goTRADE Precision Metalforming Association Specialty Sleep Association Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) Steel Service Center Institute Texas International Trade Alliance Toy Manufacturers of America, Inc. U.S. Apple Association U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) U.S. Canola Association U.S. Chamber of Commerce U.S. Meat Export Federation U.S. Rice Producers Association U.S. Wheat Associates U.S.-China Business Council United Egg Association United Egg Producers United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association United States Council for International Business USA Poultry & Egg Export Council Valve Manufacturers Association Washington Council on International Trade Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association Wheat Export Trade Education Committee Wine Institute Wisconsin goTRADE |
Last Updated: 9-Jun-00