Bill Clinton's Case for Normal Trade Relations with China

Strategic Insights -

U.S. President Bill Clinton believes that extending Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status to China will enhance American economic and security interests. He argues that exports to China have quadrupled over the past decade, creating 400,000 American jobs. Clinton also emphasizes the role of trade in promoting social change and freedom in China, while advocating for a continued policy of principled engagement to move China towards greater openness and freedom. Maintaining NTR with China, Clinton asserts, is necessary for ongoing negotiations to increase American access to China's market and to promote economic reforms.

Key Takeaways:

  • Clinton believes that NTR status for China will enhance U.S. economic and security interests.
  • U.S. exports to China have quadrupled over the past decade, supporting 400,000 American jobs.
  • Trade with China has become a force for social change, spreading tools, contacts, and ideas that promote freedom.
  • Clinton advocates for a continued policy of principled engagement to move China towards greater openness and freedom.
  • He emphasizes that revoking NTR would derail ongoing negotiations and weaken American influence in China.
  • A policy of disengagement and confrontation would only strengthen those in China who oppose greater openness and freedom, Clinton claims.
  • He is committed to bringing China into global structures and promoting China's adherence to global norms on human rights, trade, and other issues.
  • Clinton is determined to secure permanent NTR status for China in the context of a commercially strong WTO agreement.

Statistics:

  • U.S. exports to China have quadrupled over the past decade.
  • 400,000 American jobs are supported by U.S. exports to China and Hong Kong.
  • The Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 changed the term "most-favored-nation" status to "normal trade relations" status.
  • China has been obligated to maintain NTR status since 1980.
  • NTR maintains trade treatment with China similar to that provided to virtually every other country on Earth.

Sources:

  • Clinton, Bill. "Statement by the President on Normal Trade Relations with China" (1999-06-03)
  • Public Law 105-206, section 5003, Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.