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Administration strongly opposes H.J.Res. 50, which would disapprove
(and thereby revoke) normal trade relations (NTR) with China. P.L.
106-286 authorized the President to grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations
(PNTR) to China, after China's formal accession to the World Trade
Organization (WTO). Since China has not yet acceded to the WTO, it
is essential that we grant annual NTR to China to maintain our present
trading relations.
Renewal
of NTR to China will assist in the advancement of many U.S. interests,
in the economic, weapons' nonproliferation, law enforcement, regional
stability, and environmental realms. Extending NTR status to China
is also vital to our ability to successfully engage China. This
engagement can help determine whether China becomes an increasingly
open and productive partner for America, or whether it becomes more
isolated and unpredictable.
Revoking
annual NTR would significantly damage America's relationship with
a fifth of the world's population and jeopardize U.S. political
and economic security for no discernible gain, given the impending
extension of PNTR. It would reverse three decades of a bipartisan
China policy and would seriously weaken our influence not only in
China, but throughout Asia and beyond. Renewal of NTR best advances
the substantial and broad range of U.S. interests.
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