DATE=12/17/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS-CHINA TRADE
NUMBER=5-45032
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
Intro: Every year since 1980, the U-S Congress has
had to decide whether to renew China's trade benefits
- once called "most-favored nation" status, and now
just normal trade relations. And every year, this has
meant a struggle between lawmakers over trade, human
rights and the whole U-S / Chinese agenda. The debate
next year (in 2000) may be the last one, but it could
also be especially heated and unpredictable. V-O-A's
David Swan reports.
TEXT: /// Begin with Act - Seattle protestors chanting
///
This is what happened the last time the White House
tried to move forward on trade - a loud, sometimes
violent protest at the World Trade Organization
conference. In the aftermath of that failed meeting
in Seattle, the Clinton administration is facing
another challenge, not on the streets but in the House
of Representatives and Senate.
The showdown will take place when Congress examines
the deal for China to join the World Trade
Organization, or W-T-O. At a recent news conference,
the president promised an all-out effort to finalize
the accord, which came after long, hard bargaining by
U-S and Chinese officials. Mr. Clinton says it will
help the economy by opening China's vast market to
American exports and will strengthen the nation's
strategic position in the future.
/// Clinton Act ///
One of the great questions of the next several
decades as China's economy grows to match the
size of its population is whether China and the
United States will have a constructive
relationship or be at odds. I believe that just
as we work together in the United Nations, even
though we sometimes disagree, we will work
together in the W-T-O.
/// End Act ///
Technically, the lawmakers have no vote on the W-T-O
pact itself - but they could still sink it. The
agreement hinges on China receiving permanent normal
trade relations, or N-T-R, without the annual review
required by current law. This provision, which
Congress will vote on, gives opponents an opening to
block the deal.
Teamsters Union president James Hoffa Junior, whose
members marched and rallied in Seattle, says they will
fight the proposal again on Capitol Hill.
/// Hoffa Act ///
Well, the Great Wall of China will come tumbling
down before we accede to this deal. The
Teamsters Union is 100-percent committed to
defeating permanent N-T-R (normal trade
relations) status for China.
/// End Act ///
The unions charge the accord will cost American jobs
while doing nothing to protect workers' rights in
China. Those who are opposing the deal raise other
familiar complaints about Chinese behavior, including
human rights violations, threats against Taiwan and
repression in Tibet. Dissident Harry Wu says the
trade pact would strengthen what he calls a paranoid,
totalitarian government.
/// Wu Act ///
This deal gives a timely boost to the Chinese
Communist leadership. This blood transfusion to
a dying Communist regime is both unwise and
unnecessary.
/// End Act ///
Opponents also hope to build on what they consider a
victory in the Seattle demonstrations to gather
momentum for the struggle in Congress. But despite
their new-found energy and confidence, the opponents
are working against history. In 20 years, Congress
has never refused normal trade or M-F-N status.
Approval was granted even after 1989's Tiananmen
Square crackdown and other crises.
The annual fight has usually focused on the House,
which is more fractious than the Senate and less
sympathetic to free trade. The debate over permanent
N-T-R is likely to follow the same pattern.
Republican Congressman Philip Crane, chairman of the
House trade subcommittee, believes the proposal will
be approved once the benefits for American business
become clear. He notes the short-term extensions of
N-T-R have recently passed by wide margins.
/// Crane Act ///
It's always been a good bipartisan support (for
N-T-R). And yet the benefits out of N-T-R
status, normal trade relations with them under
current law, do not begin to compare with the
benefits of giving them permanent N-T-R status
as a member of the World Trade Organization.
/// End Act ///
However, the decision will be made in a presidential
and Congressional election year - which, as Mr. Crane
points out, could complicate the process.
/// Crane Act ///
And the closer you get to the election, the more
potentially political it can become. And that's
not a good thing.
/// End Act ///
Other lawmakers say China must show good faith by
living up to existing accords, including a recent deal
to import more American wheat. Supporters of normal
trade and W-T-O membership for China hope for a vote
on the issue in May or June. (Signed)
NEB/DS/JP
17-Dec-1999 11:41 AM EDT (17-Dec-1999 1641 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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