[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 76 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE PROPOSED SANCTIONS BILL ON CHINA

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, on May 26, President Clinton made the 
difficult and courageous decision to renew most-favored-nation tariff 
status for China, and end the linkage between human rights and renewal 
of MFN status. He will now proceed with a tough human rights policy, 
but one that does not link human rights to normal trade.
  Today, several members of Congress will introduce a bill to reverse 
his policy. The bill would selectively revoke MFN status for goods 
produced by Chinese military companies. It would go beyond that to 
sanction some goods produced by state enterprises. Altogether, the bill 
would impose a de facto embargo on about 5 billion dollars worth of 
Chinese exports.
  I regard this as a serious mistake. To begin with, it is foredoomed 
to failure. A majority in the Senate supports the President. With about 
50 legislative days remaining, and health reform, GATT, welfare reform 
and much more left to do, we should concentrate on the people's 
business rather than debate a foregone conclusion. In the coming weeks, 
I will work to demonstrate that support through a letter or resolution.
  The end of this debate is already clear. But consider for a moment 
what would happen if this bill succeeded.
  It would cause China to retaliate and cost American jobs. It would 
alienate friendly Asian Governments and isolate us in East Asia as a 
whole. It would burden the Customs Service with the huge new 
responsibility of determining which goods are of military origin, 
perhaps causing the collapse of Customs' existing efforts to stop 
imports of prison labor goods and textile transshipments. And four 
other consequences make these problems look pale by comparison.
  First, an unnecessary fight with China would threaten our vital long-
term interests. China is the world's most populous country. It is the 
world's fastest-growing major economy. And it is entering a succession 
era in which the army will play a critical role. If we alienate China 
today, we will regret it for decades.
  Second, the Chinese army is the one group most important to our 
efforts on the Korean nuclear crisis. No arms embargo or broader 
sanction on North Korea can succeed without compliance if the Chinese 
military does not comply. It will be hard to get their support now, but 
impossible if we attack them with this bill. And if, God forbid, we 
cannot resolve this crisis peacefully, we serve the 37,000 American men 
and women on the line poorly indeed by alienating the generals who will 
decide China's role in a conflict.
  Third, this bill will harm, not promote, human rights in China. It 
will put tens of thousands of innocent people out of work, and 
eliminate our diplomatic ability to promote human rights. It will 
discredit pro-American reformers and turn ordinary Chinese against us. 
That is why many Chinese dissidents--for example Wang Dan, the student 
most wanted after Tiananmen Square--have repeatedly asked us not to 
revoke MFN status.
  And fourth, passing this bill will repudiate and cripple the 
President on foreign policy. The United States and the world need a 
strong President who can exercise Presidential leadership. And it would 
be sad and ironic for members of the President's own party to make that 
leadership impossible.
  This bill is wrong. It will hurt our President and it will hurt our 
country. I urge Members of the Senate to reject it.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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