Richard K. Armey: “the coming vote to expand our trade with China is a vote for the new economy. It is a vote that will clearly show…”

“the coming vote to expand our trade with China is a vote for the new economy. It is a vote that will clearly show whether the Members in this Congress are in favor of advancing America's high-tech economy or whether they want to flee from that future into the failed protectionist policies of the past. Mr. Speaker, China is a key market for America's high-tech industry. It is now the second largest information technology market in Asia, second only to Japan. It is an information technology market that is growing at 20 to 40 percent annually. Next year, China will be the third largest semiconductor market in the world, and by 2010 it will be the number two largest. This is a boon for America and for the Chinese people. As information technology spreads in China, it will help the Chinese learn about their government and, more importantly, the world beyond. It will encourage democratic reform in China and help make China a more free and open society. Mr. Speaker, our high-tech industry got everything it needed in the trade agreement with China. We must not throw that away. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to approve PNTR. A vote for permanent normal trade relations is a vote for the new economy.”