DATE=5/19/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS/CHINA TRADE (L)
NUMBER=2-262580
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 


INTRO:  This will be a crucial weekend for supporters 
and opponents of U-S trade relations with China.  Next 
Wednesday (May 24th) the U-S House of Representatives 
will vote on a bill to extend normal trade relations 
permanently, instead of dealing with the issue on an 
annual basis.  V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports both 
sides predict a close vote, and the pressure on 
undecided House members is intense.


TEXT:  The Washington work week ended on a high note 
for supporters of permanent normal trade relations 
with China -- or P-N-T-R, as it is commonly known on 
Capitol Hill.

Several previously undecided members of Congress 
announced Friday they will back the measure.  They 
cited a decision to expand the bill to address 
concerns related to human rights and Chinese labor 
practices.

The new provisions include steps to protect American 
companies from a surge in Chinese imports, and 
establish a high-level human rights commission for 
China.

Lawmakers leading the effort to pass the legislation 
predict these changes -- combined with news of a 
China-Europe trade deal -- will give their cause a big 
boost.

California Republican David Dreier says he is 
confident of victory, but adds days of tough 
campaigning lie ahead.

            /// Dreier Act ///

      We are not there yet.  We don't have commitments 
      from 218 people (a majority in the House) who 
      have said they will firmly vote "yes."   So we 
      have a lot of work to be done.  I wouldn't want 
      to be in Greenville, South Carolina this 
      weekend.

            /// End Act ///

The congressman from Greenville is Republican Jim 
DeMint.  He is coming under extreme pressure from 
union members opposed to the bill, and businessmen who 
support it.   But Mr. DeMint says the changes made in 
the legislation could convince him to vote "yes."

            /// Opt DeMint Act ///

      I've remained in the undecided column because of 
      real concerns about dumping of products, about 
      loss of jobs in my district, about the 
      humanitarian concerns and religious persecution 
      that apparently weren't addressed in the 
      original discussions about permanent normal 
      trade with China.

            /// End Opt Act ///

Congressman DeMint says he will formally announce his 
decision after a weekend of meetings in his district.  
Opponents of the measure hope he will also look at the 
latest U-S trade figures.

They say the growing U-S trade deficit will only get 
worse if Congress approves P-N-T-R.  Michigan Democrat 
David Bonior says if the trade bill passes, American 
investors will move factories and jobs to China.

            /// Bonior Act ///

      Its supporters have often said that America has 
      been the winner through trade with China.  You 
      will hear them say that time and time again -- 
      that we are the winner with trade with China.  
      Well, if the record deficits are what winning 
      looks like, I sure would like to know what their 
      definition of losing is.

            /// End Act ///

There is a much stronger pro-trade sentiment in the 
Senate.  But tradition dictates that bills involving 
fiscal matters originate in the House, and both 
chambers must approve the China trade legislation in 
order for it to become law.  (signed)

NEB/PW/JP




19-May-2000 13:59 PM EDT (19-May-2000 1759 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.