DATE=7/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235873
TITLE=CONGRESS-CHINA TRADE (L)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  ANOTHER EFFORT TO DENY TRADE BENEFITS TO CHINA HAS FAILED
IN THE U-S CONGRESS. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, MEMBERS OF 
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAVE REJECTED A CHALLENGE TO THE 
PRESIDENT'S TRADE POLICY (166 TO DENY THE PRESIDENT...264 TO 
ACCEPT).

TEXT:ONCE IT WAS CALLED "MOST FAVORED NATION TRADE STATUS."  NOW,
THE PROPER TERM IS "NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS."

PRESIDENT CLINTON SIGNED LEGISLATION APPROVING THE NAME CHANGE 
WHILE THE HOUSE WAS IN THE MIDST OF ITS ANNUAL DEBATE ON TRADE 
WITH CHINA. MARYLAND DEMOCRAT BEN CARDIN CALLED THE SHIFT 
"IRONIC."

                        ///CARDIN ACT///

         THERE IS NOTHING NORMAL ABOUT A TRADING PARTNER THAT 
         PIRATES THE SOFTWARE OF U-S COMPANIES.  THERE IS NOTHING
         NORMAL ABOUT A TRADING PARTNER THAT HAS A HUGE TRADE 
         IMBALANCE WITH US BECAUSE OF THE TARIFF AND BARRIERS IT 
         ADDS TO ITS MARKET. AND THERE IS NOTHING NORMAL ABOUT A 
         TRADING PARTNER THAT HAS SUCH A HORRIBLE RECORD ON HUMAN
         RIGHTS.

                          ///END ACT///

CHINA'S CRITICS KNEW THEY WOULD LOSE THE FIGHT TO DENY TRADE 
BENEFITS.  BUT ONE BY ONE, THEY ROSE TO SPEAK.  PARTY LINES WERE 
MEANINGLESS.  REPUBLICAN LINDA SMITH OF WASHINGTON STATE SAID SHE
SUPPORTS ENGAGEMENT, BUT BELIEVES AMERICA MUST TAKE A MORAL 
STAND.

                         ///SMITH ACT///

         WE MUST NOT ISOLATE CHINA.  AND ACTUALLY WE MUST 
         CONTINUE TO REACH OUT AND BUILD A STRONG RELATIONSHIP 
         WITH CHINA.  BUT WE CAN'T REACH OUT AND CLOSE OUR EYES 
         AND OUR CONSCIENCE AT THE SAME TIME.

                          ///END ACT///

BUT MANY MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE STRESSED ENGAGEMENT AND APPEASEMENT
ARE  NOT THE SAME.  CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN DAVID DREIER SAID TRADE
WILL BRING CHANGE TO CHINA.

                        ///DREIER ACT///

         WE HAVE FOUND OVER THE YEARS, OVER THE LAST DECADE AND A
         HALF THAT MAINTAINING ECONOMIC ENGAGEMENT HAS IN FACT 
         LED TO THE POSITIVE POLITICAL REFORMS THAT WE ALL SEEK. 
         WE FOUND THAT OUT IN CHILE, WE FOUND THAT OUT IN 
         ARGENTINA AND IN THE PACIFIC RIM WE FOUND THAT OUT BOTH 
         IN TAIWAN AND SOUTH KOREA.

                          ///END ACT///

THE HOUSE VOTE MEANS THE EFFORT TO DENY TRADE BENEFITS IS DEAD. 
MAJORITIES IN BOTH CHAMBERS ARE NEEDED TO REVOKE NORMAL TRADE 
RELATIONS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/PW/WDC/JO

22-Jul-98 4:37 PM EDT (2037 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.