    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [May 17, 2000]
    [Pages 954-955]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Congressional Action on Permanent Normal Trade Relations
    With China
    May 17, 2000

        I am encouraged that the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways
    and Means Committee have both approved legislation today authorizing the
    extension of permanent normal trade relations to China. Today's approval
    of PNTR is a significant step toward final passage by the Congress. The
    strong bipartisan votes in both committees send a clear, strong message
    that permanent normal trade relations for China is vital to America's
    prosperity at home, our leadership in the world, and to positive change
    in China.
        The full Congress will now consider this legislation. Members will
    not decide whether China will join the WTO--it will. Congress will
    decide whether we put American workers, farmers, and businesses at a
    disadvantage by denying them the access to and benefits from China's
    markets that their competitors in Japan and Europe will have. A vote for
    PNTR will bring down China's barriers to American exports, opening the
    largest

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    potential market in the world to our goods and services. A vote against
    PNTR will cost us exports and jobs and cede this massive new market to
    our competitors.
        This is a decision of great importance and a moment of historic
    opportunity. In this, the last week before the final vote, I will
    redouble my efforts to convince Congress and the American people to
    seize that opportunity to strengthen our economy, our national security,
    and the forces of reform and positive change in China.