DATE=5/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - CHINA TRADE (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-262308
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Clinton touted the benefits of
expanded trade with China to American farmers and
manufacturers during a trip to the midwestern United
States Friday. It is part of an all-out campaign to
win Congressional approval of permanent normal trade
relations for China. Correspondent Deborah Tate
reports from the White House.
Text: With a close vote predicted on the trade
measure in the House of Representatives in less than
two weeks, Mr. Clinton is redoubling efforts to try
ease concerns of labor unions. Unions are close
political allys of the Democratic party - and most
labor leaders fear expanded trade with China will
result in lost American jobs.
Mr. Clinton traveled to the industrial city of Akron,
Ohio, Friday -- where union opposition to so-called p-
n-t-r is strong. During a meeting with with business
and labor leaders, he argued that more trade with the
world's most populous nation means more jobs.
/// Clinton actuality ///
If this passes there will be huge new markets
for agriculture, new markets for automobiles,
new markets for high-tech equipment, new markets
for telecommunications equipment. We will be
able, for the first time, to sell cars or auto
parts there without having to put a
manufacturing plant in China or transfer
manufacturing technology. It's never been
possible before.
/// end act ///
Later, Mr. Clinton flew to Minnesota -- a leading U-S
state in agricultural exports, particularly soybeans.
He told farmers in the town of Shakopee they will
benefit from increased trade with China, which he
described as the largest growth market for soybeans,
and a nation projected to become the world's largest
economy within the next half century.
/// Clinton actuality ///
There is no way the Chinese farmers can keep
pace with the growth of their own consumers, but
America's farmers can, and Congress can give you
the chance to do so, but only if it votes for
permanent normal trading relations.
/// end act ///
In his speech in Ohio and again in Minnesota, Mr.
Clinton took issue with lawmakers who oppose granting
n-p-t-r to China because of that country's
questionable human rights record and its tensions with
Taiwan. He again argued that engaging China is the
best way to influence its behavior.
Passage of the trade measure would end Congress'
annual review of China's trade status and grant that
country the same low-tariff access to U-S markets as
products from nearly every other nation. It would
also help pave the way for China's entry into the
World Trade Organization.
While the vote on p-n-t-r appears close in the House,
it is expected to pass easily in the Senate.
(SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/KBK
12-May-2000 17:25 PM EDT (12-May-2000 2125 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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