Barbara Mikulski: “today's vote will set the course for America's relationship with China into the future. The debate is about whether the…”

“today's vote will set the course for America's relationship with China into the future. The debate is about whether the United States should grant China Permanent Normal Trading Relations, PNTR status or continue the annual review of China's trade status. It is not a debate on whether we should trade with China. Granting PNTR to China will establish China as a full partner--not just in trade, but in every aspect of international relations. It will end our ability to review and challenge China's trade status on an annual basis. Denying PNTR to China will maintain our national sovereignty in our dealings with China. It will retain our right to annually review America's trade relationship with China. It will retain our right to exert pressure on China to improve on various fronts--from human rights to nuclear proliferation. This is an exceptionally difficult decision for me. I have studied the issue for many months. I have weighed the pros and cons of granting China PNTR, and I acknowledge that there are strong arguments on both sides. I will oppose PNTR for China. I believe we should engage China--but not embrace China.”