[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 38 (Monday, March 4, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1610-S1611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     U.S.-China Trade Negotiations

  Mr. President, finally, on China trade, we have seen reports in 
today's newspapers that President Trump is close to cutting a deal with 
China.
  I have given the President credit for bringing China to the table 
with his strong action on tariffs. He has done more to stop China from 
stealing our intellectual property and keeping American businesses out, 
causing tens of millions of Americans to lose income and millions of 
Americans to lose jobs. He has done more than previous Presidents. I 
give him credit.
  But if now--at the end of the day--he sells out, backs out, and just 
looks at trade balances and doesn't deal with the fundamental, 
structural ways China takes advantage of us, it doesn't matter that he 
put in the tariffs in the first place.
  The bottom line is very simple: China is our economic rival, and they 
don't play by the rules. They steal intellectual property by cyber 
theft, even promising that they will not. They don't let American 
companies come in and compete fairly in China, even though their 
companies can come here.
  My late father-in-law, a cabdriver in New York City, just like one of 
those Damon Runyon cabdrivers, said that when it comes to certain 
things, America is not Uncle Sam; we are ``Uncle Sap.'' When it comes 
to China, that is what we are. We have let them take advantage of us 
for two decades--two decades.
  Now President Trump has the opportunity to stop them, and the news 
reports today say that he is going to back off--back off--because China 
will buy some more product.
  China's buying more products will not change the structural problems. 
It will not change the basic erosion of American wealth and jobs as it 
flows to China. It is a temporary salve and nothing more.
  I care about our farmers; we have a lot of them in New York State. I 
care about companies that might be hurt in the short run by this, but 
unless we take some tough action against China, the hurt will be much 
greater and much longer.
  I say to President Trump: You stayed tough in North Korea, and it 
inured to

[[Page S1611]]

your benefit. The Democratic leader of the Senate praised President 
Trump for doing that. Stay tough on China. When it comes to China, 
don't let March be the month when it is said that President Trump went 
in like a lion and went out like a lamb, and President Xi, a darn good 
negotiator, figuratively eats our lunch.
  There is a generational imperative to get this right. The President 
and his folks must not squander the chance to achieve permanent reforms 
to China's economic relations with the world. This chance will not come 
around again for a long time, and American wealth, income, and jobs 
will ebb. This is one of the most important moments in the Trump 
Presidency.
  President Trump, stand tough. China can no longer be allowed to take 
advantage of us.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.