Bush Renews NTR for China

June 5, 2001

President Bush has sent to Congress notice of his intent to extend normal trade relations with China, continuing to give that country the benefits of trade relations that most other countries have with the United States. "This decision advances the economic and security interests of the American people and I urge Congress to support it," Bush said.

NTR, he added, "is in the interests of American workers, some 400,000 of whom are employed in or benefit directly from America's trade with China. Trade is in the interests of American farmers, who last year exported more than $3 billion to China and Hong Kong and who this year should export even more as China removes bans on key American products like citrus, wheat and meat."

Bush also used the familiar defense of NTR with China that normal trade is necessary "for a strong and productive relationship with China. Normal Trade Relations status (and) if we are to promote American values of transparency and accountability and ensure that the Chinese government adheres to the rule of law in its dealings with its own people as well as with the international community."

Granting NTR again also helps China "become part of the new international trading system so that the Chinese people can enjoy the better life that comes from economic choice and freedom. The United States has a huge stake in the emergence of an economically open, politically stable and secure China," Bush said.