Glenn English: “this debate that we undertake today is about better, stronger, fairer trade with China, which in time will pave the way…”

“this debate that we undertake today is about better, stronger, fairer trade with China, which in time will pave the way for social and political reforms. Some of these reforms are already evident today. Pennsylvania has exported more than $297 million in goods to China in 1998. Voting for this agreement forces China to take down tariff barriers and nontariff barriers that have prevented even larger Pennsylvania exports. Increasing the amount of exports to China will only help in creating jobs, not only in Pennsylvania, but also throughout our country. Last November, the U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Barshefsky completed historic negotiations with the People's Republic of China and managed to craft an agreement that would provide access to the Chinese market while requiring no concessions by the U.S. Let us be clear about this. This is no NAFTA. We do not make a single job-killing concession in this legislation. The bill we consider today would allow the U.S. to benefit from those negotiations. The bill will not determine whether or not China enters the WTO. China is entering the World Trade Organization with or without this legislation. I must admit, Mr. Chairman, that I entertained serious concerns when this issue was first raised. I was concerned about human rights and fair trade, which are critical to building a long-term stable relationship with China.”