[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 22 (Monday, June 4, 2001)]
[Pages 837-838]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Renewing Normal Trade Relations Status for China

June 1, 2001

    Earlier today I informed Congress of my decision to extend normal 
trade relations status for China, as every President has done since 
1980. This decision advances the economic and security interests of the 
American people, and I urge Congress to support it.
    Normal trade relations--a status which virtually every other country 
in the world receives from the United States--is in the interests of 
American workers, some 400,000 of whom are employed in or benefit 
directly from America's trade with China.

[[Page 838]]

    Trade is in the interests of American farmers, who last year 
exported more than $3 billion to China and Hong Kong and who this year 
should export even more as China removes bans on key American products 
like citrus, wheat, and meat.
    Trade is in the interests of American business, nearly 80 percent of 
which are small or medium sized, which last year increased their overall 
exports to China by 24 percent, making China our 11th largest export 
market.
    Trade is in the interests of American consumers, especially those 
who live from paycheck to paycheck and depend on inexpensive goods from 
China to enhance their quality of life.
    Fair trade is essential not only to improving living standards for 
Americans but also for a strong and productive relationship with China. 
Normal trade relations status is important if we are to promote American 
values of transparency and accountability and ensure that the Chinese 
Government adheres to the rule of law in its dealings with its own 
people as well as with the international community.
    Renewal of normal trade relations also sends a clear but simple 
message to the people of China: The United States is committed to 
helping China become part of the new international trading system so 
that the Chinese people can enjoy the better life that comes from 
economic choice and freedom.
    The United States has a huge stake in the emergence of an 
economically open, politically stable, and secure China. Recent events 
have shown not only that we need to speak frankly and directly about our 
differences but that we also need to maintain dialog and cooperate with 
one another on those areas where we have common interests. An important 
area where the interests of our two countries converge is in maintaining 
a healthy trading relationship. Renewing normal trade relations status 
for China will only make those ties stronger.