DATE=9/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SENATE CHINA TRADE (L)
NUMBER=2-266743
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
// EDS: VOTE SKED FOR 2:15 P-M TUESDAY//
INTRO: The U-S Senate is poised to give final
congressional approval to the bill that will give
permanent normal trade relations to China. V-O-A's
David Swan reports, the atmosphere is far different
than when the House of Representatives took up the
measure in May.
TEXT: This time, there is no suspense surrounding the
vote. Unlike the bitterly divided House, the Senate
is strongly in favor of normalizing trade with Beijing
once and for all. The measure easily cleared a series
of test votes. In the last two weeks, members of both
parties joined together to beat back amendments that
might have killed the proposal.
The bill is designed to ease China's entry into the
World Trade Organization and in turn give American
business new access to the vast Chinese market. This
means sharply lower tariffs on a wide range of U-S
exports. The tariff on high-technology products will
disappear. The levy on cars will drop from 80-percent
to 25-percent, while duties on farm products will be
slashed by more than half (31-percent to 14-percent).
Supporters of permanent normal trade say the plan will
not only help U-S workers and farmers but will
strengthen bilateral ties and in the long run raise
living standards for many Chinese. But opponents call
it an undeserved reward for a repressive government.
Republican Senator Jim Bunning says free trade has yet
to improve China's human rights record or soften its
threats toward Taiwan.
/// BUNNING ACT ///
It's a sad day in Congress. And I'm sorry to
say we're going to do the wrong thing at the
wrong time.
/// END ACT ///
However, most lawmakers feel trade should not be
derailed by other issues. The vote for P-N-T-R will
be a victory for both the White House and the
Republican leadership - and perhaps the final chapter
of President Clinton's legacy in foreign affairs.
(Signed)
NEB/DS/KBK
18-Sep-2000 16:19 PM EDT (18-Sep-2000 2019 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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