[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H2554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PERMANENT NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS TO CHINA

  (Mr. KNOLLENBERG asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, later this month, Members of the House 
will be casting their votes on one of the most important trade issues 
that we have faced in recent years. I am referring, of course, to 
extend permanent normal trade relations to China.
  The United States and the international community have been working 
together with China for decades to bring China into the WTO. For the 
first time in history, the doors of China's economy will be opened up 
to international commerce and competition.
  Congress will be faced with a simple choice then. If Congress passes 
PNTR, we will allow U.S. companies to freely participate in the nearly 
$4 billion Chinese economy. However, if we do not pass PNTR, American 
products and American workers will be denied this opportunity.
  Faced with these options, I think the choice is clear. I urge my 
colleagues to avoid the temptation to give in to the protectionist 
forces inside our country and instead support free trade and progress 
in China.

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