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“DISAPPROVAL OF MOST-FAVORED-NATION TREATMENT FOR CHINA” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1398 on July 23, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
DISAPPROVAL OF MOST-FAVORED-NATION TREATMENT FOR CHINA
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speech of
HON. CASS BALLENGER
of north carolina
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, July 22, 1998
Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, once again, legislation to overturn our current trade relations with the People's Republic of China has reached the House floor. This annual exercise divides our nation over our relationship with the most populous nation in the world. The only thing which has changed is the terminology. We now refer to Most Favored Nation (MFN) trading status as simply Normal Trade Relations (NTR), a more accurate description of this annual trade vote.
I will reluctantly vote against the resolution, Disapproving the Extension of Nondiscriminatory Treatment to the Products of the People's Republic of China (H.J. Res. 121), before us toady. I do recognize China's deplorable record on human rights and our moral obligation to speak out for the weak and voiceless in China. However, in reaching my decision, I again asked myself these questions, ``In the long run, will revoking China's trade status be good or harmful to the Chinese and the American people, and will it improve human rights in China?'' I must conclude that revoking China's trade status would be counterproductive to these objectives.
As I have stated previously, the U.S. can do more to advance the cause of human rights and foster religious, economic and political freedom if we continue to engage the Chinese in economic cooperation. Social freedom--like freedom of religion--are a direct result of economic liberalization. If we remove all of China's trade privileges, we are not only isolating that country, but we are losing any opportunity to improve the human condition there.
Terminating normal trade relations with China will hurt the American worker and consumer as well. From 1991 to 1997, U.S. exports to China rose 71% from $7.5 billion to $12.8 billion. In addition, exports of U.S. goods and services to China and Hong Kong support an estimated 450,000 American jobs. From an agricultural perspective, the American Farm Bureau has called China ``the most important growth market for U.S. agriculture in the twenty-first century.'' The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that China could account for one-
third of future growth in u.S. farm exports in the years ahead.
Despite my position on NTR with China, I remain concerned about allegations that the Clinton White House violated existing campaign finance laws by accepting illegal foreign contributions from China. In return, the Clinton administration sacrificed American national security by allowing the Loral Space and Communications Ltd. and another U.S. company to provide China's space industry with specific technological expertise, strengthening its nuclear and missile capabilities. I believe the Congress has an obligation to look into these critical charges, and I support all efforts to continue House and Senate investigations.
In conclusion, if we choose to cut off our ties with China, we end up harming those who need our help the most--the Chinese people. Just as important, we hurt American workers, farmers and businesses which would export to china, now and in the future. I urge my colleagues to vote down H.J. Res. 121.
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