January 19, 2000
THE CHINA THREAT BECOMES REALITY
Since 1974, the President and the U.S. Congress have been required to vote every year whether to continue Normal Trade Relations (NTR) with China. Formerly NTR was known as Most Favored Nation Status or MFN. President Clinton and the Business Community are pushing Congress to pass a Bill that would grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to China which would eliminate the annual vote.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
The United States would be giving up all political leverage over China if Permanent Normal Trade Relations is granted. The annual vote on the renewal of conditional trade relations with China has been the only chance for the U.S. Congress to be heard because they play no direct role in actual trade negotiations. China will not be stopped from entering the World Trade Organization (WTO) but should not be granted the unconditional trade privileges of Permanent Normalized Trade Relations status.
WHY IS PNTR FOR CHINA CONSIDERED A THREAT?
U.S. workers are competing for jobs against workers in a Country where the military owns many businesses and is known for committing the worst forms of worker exploitation by employing prison labor, slave labor and child labor. China is also known for violating human rights and preventing the development of free trade unions. U.S. workers have already lost too many jobs to countries where there is no level playing field for worker’s rights and human rights. Until China is forced to change, Permanent Normal Trade Relations should not be granted.
Please distribute this to all Local Union Members and SOAR Chapters.
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