DATE=3/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS-CHINA TRADE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260526
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The U-S Senate is now debating what could be 
its biggest foreign policy decision of the year -- 
whether to normalize trade relations with China once 
and for all.  Though Washington grants this status to 
nearly all its trading partners, opponents of the plan 
say China does not deserve it.  V-O-A's David Swan 
reports from Capitol Hill.


TEXT:  The first votes on the matter are at least a 
few weeks away.  But the political battle lines are 
already clearly drawn for Congress' most important 
trade debate in years.

The White House and its allies are pushing permanent 
normal trade relations for Beijing as part of the deal 
to bring China into the World Trade Organization.  
Supporters argue this will open China's huge market to 
American business.  Senate Finance Committee Chairman 
William Roth, who introduced the measure (Thursday), 
warns its defeat would hurt people in both countries.

            /// Roth Act ///

      The losers will be American firms, American 
      workers who will be denied the opportunity to 
      compete on a level playing field with their 
      British, French, German and Japanese 
      competitors.  The losers will also include 
      Chinese workers.

            /// End Act ///

The Senate, which tends to favor free trade, is 
considered almost certain to pass the bill.  But its 
backers worry the Chinese government could hurt its 
own cause by threatening Taiwan.

The outlook in the House of Representatives is far 
from clear.  There, the proposal is facing a 
determined fight from labor unions and human rights 
advocates.  (Democratic) Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, a 
long-time critic of China, says the country's record 
on trade alone is reason to reject the bill.

            /// Pelosi Act ///

      And that speaks to their unreliability in 
      keeping their word, of the Chinese government in 
      keeping its word.  It speaks to the broken 
      promises rather than performance over the last 
      decade in terms of violations of trade 
      agreements that they have -- that they have 
      signed.

            /// End Act ///

The administration hopes the House and Senate will 
vote on the plan no later than June to keep the issue 
from being caught up in an intensifying campaign for 
the November elections. (Signed)

NEB/DS/JP




23-Mar-2000 13:22 PM EDT (23-Mar-2000 1822 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.