Max Cleland: “on April 11, 2000 the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing regarding the impact of China's accession to the World…”

“on April 11, 2000 the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing regarding the impact of China's accession to the World Trade Organization, WTO, on the American economy. This was a fascinating meeting that covered a wide range of topics from trade deficits and tariff barriers to national security and human rights. After participating in this hearing, and after months of meetings and speaking with Georgia farmers, small business owners, and workers, as well as conferring with national security experts, I have concluded that, on balance, establishing Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China--which is necessary for the U.S. to obtain the trade concessions made by China in order to gain entry into the WTO--is in the best interest of both our national security and our economic security. Therefore, I plan to support the PNTR legislation that passed the House in May.”