Ben Cardin: “During the last several months, it has become clear to me that the action we are taking today is not just the annual…”

“During the last several months, it has become clear to me that the action we are taking today is not just the annual review of whether China should be given normal trade relations, but a major policy initiative by the Clinton administration. I am concerned that the rejection of this agreement could have serious national security ramifications. However, that does not mean that this body should just automatically approve permanent normal trade relations with China. It was important to me, and I think to many Members of this body, that in order for us to support this change, there needed to be an adequate package of related issues incorporated in the vote. That has happened. First, we have incorporated the provisions concerning human rights. I do not think any of us believe that we would now reject the annual review of normal trade relations with China. That has been an ineffective way to review human rights progress within China. The new mechanism which institutionalizes that review will be a more effective way to review human rights.”