[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1317-E1318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         DISAPPROVAL OF MOST-FAVORED-NATION TREATMENT FOR CHINA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 1997

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose this resolution. The 
debate today comes down to two simple questions: Will we choose to 
isolate China, or will we remain actively engaged with China through 
trade and economic cooperation?

[[Page E1318]]

  The 20th century will be recorded as the American century Mr. 
Speaker, because as a nation, we led the world in trade, in human 
rights and in international cooperation. If we expect to lay claim to 
the 21st century, as we did the 20th, we must engage China--a nation 
which will emerge as one of the most powerful in the world.
  There is no doubt that China has serious human rights problems that 
must be addressed. But there are more effective means to address these 
concerns without hurting American jobs, such as, implementing targeted 
sanctions and enforcing existing international trade laws.
  Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, maintaining normal trade relations, which 
is all MFN does, provides America with a meaningful forum to influence 
important human rights issues.
  Tomorrow's marketplace will be shaped by the forces of technology and 
globalization. Studies tell us that in the 21st century, 90 percent of 
today's kindergarten students will be working in jobs that do not exist 
today. Many of these jobs will be export driven, and many of these 
exports will go to China. If America disengages from China, our ability 
to compete in that global marketplace will be undermined. I urge my 
colleagues to oppose this resolution.

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