    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [May 24, 2000]
    [Pages 1018-1019]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1018]]

    Remarks on House of Representatives Action on Permanent Normal Trade
    Relations With China
    May 24, 2000

        Good afternoon. Today the House of Representatives has taken an
    historic step toward continued prosperity in America, reform in China,
    and peace in the world. If the Senate votes as the House has just done
    to extend permanent normal trade relations with China, it will open new
    doors of trade for America and new hope for change in China.
        Seven years ago, when I became President, I charted a new course for
    a new economy, a course of fiscal discipline, investment in our people,
    and open trade. I have always believed that by opening markets abroad,
    we open opportunities at home. We've worked hard to advance that goal of
    more open and more fair trade since 1993, all the way up to the landmark
    legislation I signed just a few days ago to expand trade with Africa and
    the Caribbean Basin.
        Just this week Speaker Hastert and I
    reached an agreement that many Members of the House in both parties have
    already supported, to bring the same kinds of investment opportunity and
    jobs to America's new markets, to people and places here in this country
    who have not yet participated in our prosperity, in rural areas, inner
    cities, on our Native American reservations.
        With more than a billion people, China is the largest new market in
    the world. Our administration has negotiated an agreement which will
    open China's markets to American products made on American soil,
    everything from corn to chemicals to computers. Today the House has
    affirmed that agreement.
        We will be exporting, however, more than our products. By this
    agreement, we will also export more of one of our most cherished values,
    economic freedom. Bringing China into the WTO and normalizing trade will
    strengthen those who fight for the environment, for labor standards, for
    human rights, for the rule of law.
        For China, this agreement will clearly increase the benefits of
    cooperation and the costs of confrontation. America, of course, will
    continue to defend our interests, but at this stage in China's
    development, we will have more positive influence with an outstretched
    hand than with a clenched fist. The House today has affirmed that
    belief.
        Now, I have spoken personally to many, many Members of Congress. I
    have heard their concerns and those of their constituents. I know this,
    for many, was a difficult vote. Decisions like this one test our deepest
    beliefs. They challenge our hopes, and they call forth our fears. Though
    China may be changing, we all know it remains a one-party state, that it
    still denies people the rights of free speech and religious expression.
    We know that trade alone will not bring freedom to China or peace to the
    world. That's why permanent normal trade relations must also signal our
    commitment to permanent change.
        America will keep pressing to protect our security and to advance
    our values. The vote today is a big boost to both efforts. For the more
    China liberalizes its economy, the more it will liberate the potential
    of its people--to work without restraint, to live without fear.
        In January I pledged an all-out effort to take this important step.
    I want to thank everyone who has joined in it. I want to express special
    gratitude to Speaker Hastert for his
    leadership, to Congressman Archer and
    Congressman Rangel of the Ways and Means
    Committee. I also want to acknowledge Congressman Levin and Congressman Bereuter, who
    authored a provision on human rights that improves this bill and
    strengthens our ability to stand up for our values.
        I thank all the others who spoke out for this action, including all
    our former Presidents, all the former Secretaries of State, Defense,
    trade ministers, other Cabinet members, all the military leaders. I
    thank those who worked for human rights and the rule of law who spoke
    out for this legislation. And of course, I want to thank all those who
    worked in this administration: Secretary Daley, for spearheading our campaign; Charlene
    Barshefsky and Gene Sperling, for their negotiation of the agreement; Steve
    Ricchetti, here in the White House; and
    Sandy Berger and all the others who worked
    so hard for this agreement here. I appreciate what everyone has done.

    [[Page 1019]]

        Today the House has taken an important step for the kind of future I
    think we all want for our children, for an America that will be more
    prosperous and more secure, for a China that is more open to our
    products and more respectful of the rule of law at home and abroad. The
    House has spoken, and now the eyes of the world turn toward the United
    States Senate. I am confident it, too, will act swiftly to advance these
    interests.
        I will be speaking with many Senators in the days ahead to ensure
    that we continue to move ahead to get this done as promptly as possible.
    This is one of the most important votes the Senate will face in this
    session. I hope we can build on our momentum on this issue and on other
    pressing priorities, as well.
        I still believe the Congress can act to add voluntary prescription
    drug coverage to Medicare, to invest more in our children's education,
    to pass the legislation to invest in these American markets here at
    home, to pass the commonsense gun safety legislation, to raise the
    minimum wage.
        Again, I thank the House, and I look forward to working with the
    Congress in the days ahead.
        This is a good day for America. And 10 years from now we will look
    back on this day and be glad we did this. We will see that we have given
    ourselves a chance to build the kind of future we want. This is a good
    economic agreement because we get all the economic benefits of lowered
    tariffs and lowered access to the Chinese market. We get new protections
    against dumping of products in our own markets. What we have granted is
    full membership in the World Trade Organization, which brings China into
    a rule-based international system.
        But I have said many times, and I'd just like to say once more, to
    me, the most important benefit of all is that we have given ourselves
    and the Chinese a chance--not a guarantee but a chance--to build a
    future in the Asia-Pacific region for the next 50 years very different
    from the last 50. We fought three wars in that part of the world. A lot
    of Americans died for freedom; a lot of sacrifice should not go
    unredeemed. We owe it to them, to their children, and to our children
    and grandchildren to give the world a chance to build a better and a
    different future. We have taken a big step toward giving them that
    chance today.
        Thank you very much.

     Note: The President spoke at 6:03 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Public Law 106-200, the Trade and
    Development Act of 2000.