DATE=5/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - CHINA TRADE (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-262308
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:   President Clinton touted the benefits of 
expanded trade with China to American farmers and 
manufacturers during a trip to the midwestern United 
States Friday.  It is part of an all-out campaign to 
win Congressional approval of permanent normal trade 
relations for China.  Correspondent Deborah Tate 
reports from the White House.

Text:   With a close vote predicted on the trade 
measure in the House of Representatives in less than 
two weeks, Mr. Clinton is redoubling efforts to try 
ease concerns of labor unions.  Unions are close 
political allys of the Democratic party - and most 
labor leaders fear expanded trade with China will 
result in lost American jobs.

Mr. Clinton traveled to the industrial city of Akron, 
Ohio, Friday -- where union opposition to so-called p-
n-t-r is strong.  During a meeting with with business 
and labor leaders, he argued that more trade with the 
world's most populous nation means more jobs.

	            /// Clinton actuality ///

      If this passes there will be huge new markets 
      for agriculture, new markets for automobiles, 
      new markets for high-tech equipment, new markets 
      for telecommunications equipment.  We will be 
      able, for the first time, to sell cars or auto 
      parts there without having to put a 
      manufacturing plant in China or transfer 
      manufacturing technology.  It's never been 
      possible before.  

/// end act ///

Later, Mr. Clinton flew to Minnesota -- a leading U-S 
state in agricultural exports, particularly soybeans.  

He told farmers in the town of Shakopee they will 
benefit from increased trade with China, which he 
described as the largest growth market for soybeans, 
and a nation projected to become the world's largest 
economy within the next half century.

	     /// Clinton actuality ///

      There is no way the Chinese farmers can keep 
      pace with the growth of their own consumers, but 
      America's farmers can, and Congress can give you 
      the chance to do so, but only if it votes for 
      permanent normal trading relations.

      	/// end act ///

In his speech in Ohio and again in Minnesota, Mr. 
Clinton took issue with lawmakers who oppose granting 
n-p-t-r to China because of that country's 
questionable human rights record and its tensions with 
Taiwan.   He again argued that engaging China is the 
best way to influence its behavior.

Passage of the trade measure would end Congress' 
annual review of China's trade status and grant that 
country the same low-tariff access to U-S markets as 
products from nearly every other nation.  It would 
also help pave the way for China's entry into the 
World Trade Organization.

While the vote on p-n-t-r appears close in the House, 
it is expected to pass easily in the Senate.   
(SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/KBK




12-May-2000 17:25 PM EDT (12-May-2000 2125 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.