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15 March 2000

Ways and Means Chair Urges Clinton to Sell Nation on China Trade Deal

(Archer says Clinton should make case in televised address)  (470)
By Steve La Rocque
Washington File Staff Writer
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer (Republican of
Texas) is calling on President Clinton to tell the American people in
a nationally televised address why the United States should grant
permanent Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status to China.
Archer made his request March 15 in prepared remarks for a speech to
be delivered to the Emergency Committee for American Trade in
Washington, D.C. on congressional plans for the permanent NTR vote.
He warned that without President Clinton's involvement in raising
support for permanent NTR status for China "our historic opportunity
will be lost."
The Clinton Administration has said that it wants a vote by Memorial
Day in the United States (May 29).
Archer, an advocate for permanent NTR status for China, worried "that
most Americans either misunderstand or simply do not realize what is
at stake."
The Texas Republican said he hoped "those Members of Congress who have
still not decided on their vote are also beginning to understand the
gravity of the situation."
Earlier this week Secretary of Commerce William Daley told reporters
that the Clinton Administration did not have enough votes in the House
of Representatives to guarantee passage of permanent NTR for China.
Granting permanent NTR status to China involves votes in both the
Senate and the House of Representatives to end the application of
Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 to China, the so-called
Jackson-Vanik amendments. Both the Republican and Democratic parties
are split on the issue.
Opponents to granting NTR status to China, Archer said, "have stirred
up discontent and are trying to mislead Americans that trade between
China and the United States is only a big business and Wall Street
issue."
The trade deal with China, Archer asserted, is more than just making
money in China. "Passing permanent Normal Trade Relations for China is
critical for continued peace and prosperity between our two nations,"
Archer said.
Previous crises in Haiti, Bosnia, Iraq, and Kosovo, Archer said, "were
critical enough that the President felt compelled to speak directly
with the American people.
"Clearly, our relationship with China is equally vital to America,"
Archer said, "so this morning I am calling on President Clinton to
schedule a national television address in prime time about the vital
need for the United States to continue our normal trading relationship
with China.
"He can do this, he must do this, because with his involvement, our
historic opportunity will be lost," Archer warned.
(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International
Information Programs, U.S. Department of State - www.usinfo.state.gov)