Glickman, Congressmen Warn of China Consequences

April 28, 2000

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and two of the House members who accompanied him to China this week Thursday issued warnings of dire consequences if Congress fails to approve permanent normal trade relations for China. Glickman said the U.S.-China trade agreement differs from the North American Free Trade Agreement in which the United States had to open markets to Mexico and Canada. This time, he added, the United States isn’t giving up anything; China is the one opening up markets.

In a telephone news conference with reporters, Glickman, still in China, said if PNTR is defeated in Congress, there will be "very, very negative consequences." Rep. Norman Dicks (D-WA), one of four members of Congress accompanying Glickman, said "everyone else benefits" if PNTR is defeated and China enters the World Trade Organization. "I can’t think of anything dumber we could do" than turn down the trade bill.

Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) concurred with Dicks that to turn down the legislation would invite "severe consequences" in trade. If China enters the WTO but the United States does not have a full trade agreement in place, which PNTR would do, China’s trade concessions, such as lower tariffs on imports, would go to other WTO members who have trade relations with China.

Glickman, responding to a question about U.S. agricultural interests who are wary about granting PNTR to China, said China now has complete access to U.S. markets, but the United States enjoys no such advantage with China. "We’re getting access to their markets" with the trade agreement, full implementation of which hinges on PNTR.

"And there are provisions that protect U.S. producers from import surges; we can challenge China" if the Chinese ship quantities of products to the United States that are significantly more than previous levels. Without PNTR and China’s WTO membership, there is no challenge process available.

Reps. Gregory Meeks (N-NY) and Rubin Hinojosa (D-TX), who also are visiting China with Glickman, Dicks and Walden, did not participate in the news conference. They have not made a decision yet on whether to support PNTR.

"It’s important to explain (to other members of Congress) that this agreement will reduce barriers to U.S. goods, create jobs (in the United States)and support reforms in China," said Dicks. "It’s a great opportunity; we’ve got to educate the undecided (members)."