Mike Thompson: “it has been said that the vote on permanent normal trade relations with China is one of the most significant pieces of…”

“it has been said that the vote on permanent normal trade relations with China is one of the most significant pieces of legislation this body will have voted on in a long time. That very well may be true. For a number of reasons, I think most of the Members of this body are firmly committed to the concept of free trade. It has done the United States very well. We all know we are in the midst of a technological revolution that is increasing our productivity in this country and is giving us advantages we have never known before in the international marketplace. But it is not a zero sum game either; it has been beneficial for the whole world. I sign on to the concept that free trade leads to free markets and that free markets can lead to freer societies. The new trade arrangement we will be entering into with the People's Republic of China is also unique in many respects. As we know, they have 1.2 billion-plus people in China. It is a tremendous market upon which everyone now is focused.”