Bill Barrett: “Tomorrow the House will again debate the continuation of normal trade relations with China. This debate has become the…”

“Tomorrow the House will again debate the continuation of normal trade relations with China. This debate has become the whipping post on which to affix our concerns with a host of issues which we have affecting China. Some opponents of trade with China, while doing a good job in publicizing the Chinese Government's atrocities, are short-sighted. So, we cease trading with China? Then what? Do we end diplomatic relations with China? Do we blockade China? Our relations are far, far too complicated to be lumped into a single vote on continuing normal trade relations with China. The House should debate a comprehensive China bill that will give the American people and China full knowledge of the consequences of their behavior and what our response will be. I urge my colleagues to continue normal trade relations with China. We cannot burn our trade with China on the short-sighted assumption that China, a new China, will be born of its ashes.”