Cliff Stearns: “As we begin the next session of the 106th Congress, we are going to engage in another heated discussion regarding normal…”

“As we begin the next session of the 106th Congress, we are going to engage in another heated discussion regarding normal trade relations with China. In exchange for attaining membership in the World Trade Organization, China has made a number of commitments in regard to its trade policy. Among those commitments are improved market access, tariff reductions, elimination of nontariff quotas, open service sectors and elimination of export subsidies. While many people are celebrating this alleged win for American businesses, I come this morning to question the actual benefit for the United States of America. China is the fourth largest supplier of U.S. imports and the thirteenth largest buyer of U.S. exports. In addition, the U.S. trade deficit with China has risen from $6.2 billion in 1989 to $57 billion in 1998. Furthermore, China has a dismal record of complying with prior international agreements, and I think this is an important point. A blatant example concerns intellectual property rights.”