DATE=5/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - CHINA TRADE (S)
NUMBER=2-262485
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=NEW LONDON, CT.
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  One week before the U-S House of 
Representatives is expected to vote on whether to 
extend permanent normal trade relations to China, 
President Clinton is warning of dire consequences if 
lawmakers reject the measure.  He made his comments in 
a commencement address at the U-S Coast Guard Academy 
in New London, Connecticut.  Correspondent Deborah 
Tate reports.

TEXT:   A close vote is predicted, with the opposition 
coming mainly from lawmakers of Mr. Clinton's own 
Democratic party, who fear that freer trade with China 
would result in lost American jobs and would reward 
Beijing for its questionable human rights record and 
its tensions with Taiwan.

But the president argued that engaging China would 
help promote stability in Asia and peace in the Taiwan 
Strait, advance freedom and human rights in that 
country, and create jobs by opening Chinese markets to 
U-S goods.

He warned against isolating China.

            /// CLINTON ACTUALITY ///

      I believe a `no' vote invites a future of 
      dangerous confrontation and constant insecurity.

            /// END ACT ///
  
Granting China permanent trade status would end 
Congress' annual review of that country's trade 
status, and would help pave the way for Beijing's 
entry into the World Trade Organization.  It would 
guarantee Chinese goods the same low-tariff access to 
U-S markets as products from nearly every other 
nation. (Signed)

Neb/dat/gm




17-May-2000 14:49 PM EDT (17-May-2000 1849 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.