James A. Leach: “there is probably no bilateral relationship more important than that between China and the United States. The evolution…”

“there is probably no bilateral relationship more important than that between China and the United States. The evolution of Sino-American relations over the next decade will be of profound import not only for stability in the Asia-Pacific region, but for the world. In this regard it must be understood that most favored nation [MFN] trade status--that is, normal trade relations--is the linchpin of Sino-American economic relations. it is also a natural extension of the open door policy that hallmarked American involvement in China at the end of the 19th century. By contrast, revocation of MFN would effectively drive a stake through the heart of our economic ties with China and place in grave jeopardy our future relationship with one-fifth of the world's population. Hence it is crucial that the issue of extending MFN be delinked from the aberrational issue of the moment, in this case ongoing campaign finance investigations. These issues--MFN which is fundamentally about relations between two peoples, and campaign finance abuses which likely involve the foolish actions of a few--are distinct. While Congress has a profound obligation to review the allegations of illegal involvement by foreigners and perhaps their governments in the American political process, perspective must be maintained. Campaign indiscretions are about deal-making conflicts of interest; MFN is about the future of the planet.…”