DATE=5/19/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS/CHINA TRADE (L)
NUMBER=2-262580
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: This will be a crucial weekend for supporters
and opponents of U-S trade relations with China. Next
Wednesday (May 24th) the U-S House of Representatives
will vote on a bill to extend normal trade relations
permanently, instead of dealing with the issue on an
annual basis. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports both
sides predict a close vote, and the pressure on
undecided House members is intense.
TEXT: The Washington work week ended on a high note
for supporters of permanent normal trade relations
with China -- or P-N-T-R, as it is commonly known on
Capitol Hill.
Several previously undecided members of Congress
announced Friday they will back the measure. They
cited a decision to expand the bill to address
concerns related to human rights and Chinese labor
practices.
The new provisions include steps to protect American
companies from a surge in Chinese imports, and
establish a high-level human rights commission for
China.
Lawmakers leading the effort to pass the legislation
predict these changes -- combined with news of a
China-Europe trade deal -- will give their cause a big
boost.
California Republican David Dreier says he is
confident of victory, but adds days of tough
campaigning lie ahead.
/// Dreier Act ///
We are not there yet. We don't have commitments
from 218 people (a majority in the House) who
have said they will firmly vote "yes." So we
have a lot of work to be done. I wouldn't want
to be in Greenville, South Carolina this
weekend.
/// End Act ///
The congressman from Greenville is Republican Jim
DeMint. He is coming under extreme pressure from
union members opposed to the bill, and businessmen who
support it. But Mr. DeMint says the changes made in
the legislation could convince him to vote "yes."
/// Opt DeMint Act ///
I've remained in the undecided column because of
real concerns about dumping of products, about
loss of jobs in my district, about the
humanitarian concerns and religious persecution
that apparently weren't addressed in the
original discussions about permanent normal
trade with China.
/// End Opt Act ///
Congressman DeMint says he will formally announce his
decision after a weekend of meetings in his district.
Opponents of the measure hope he will also look at the
latest U-S trade figures.
They say the growing U-S trade deficit will only get
worse if Congress approves P-N-T-R. Michigan Democrat
David Bonior says if the trade bill passes, American
investors will move factories and jobs to China.
/// Bonior Act ///
Its supporters have often said that America has
been the winner through trade with China. You
will hear them say that time and time again --
that we are the winner with trade with China.
Well, if the record deficits are what winning
looks like, I sure would like to know what their
definition of losing is.
/// End Act ///
There is a much stronger pro-trade sentiment in the
Senate. But tradition dictates that bills involving
fiscal matters originate in the House, and both
chambers must approve the China trade legislation in
order for it to become law. (signed)
NEB/PW/JP
19-May-2000 13:59 PM EDT (19-May-2000 1759 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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