Sam Gejdenson: “we are making a critical decision today on whether to grant permanent normal trade relations to China. This is not an…”

“we are making a critical decision today on whether to grant permanent normal trade relations to China. This is not an easy decision. Before casting my vote, I considered the advice and counsel of my constituents and experts in the field. And, after weighing the complexity of the PNTR issue and the long-term implications of this vote, I have decided to vote against granting permanent normal trade relations to China. While this bill would have an important economic impact, it fails to honor American values regarding human rights, labor protections and the environment. Free and fair trade makes sense for America. If given a level playing field, American companies and workers can compete with any other in the international marketplace. Indeed, to a great degree, globalization and free trade have helped to sustain this country's record prosperity and economic expansion over the past decade. Yet, free trade alone, without consideration for human rights, basic labor standards, and environmental protection will only encourage a race to the bottom. For over a decade, I have been troubled by the message our China policy has sent to the Chinese people, to our citizens and to the rest of the world. Despite egregious human rights violations, China's export of weapons of mass destruction around the world, repeated crackdowns on religious freedom and its continued occupation of Tibet, we have refused to establish a bottom line in our relationship with China.”