William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry: “I rise in support of normal trading relations with China. Trying to determine what course will be the best for the…”

“I rise in support of normal trading relations with China. Trying to determine what course will be the best for the United States and for the people of China in the long run is not easy. No one has a crystal ball. However, I believe that is in the best interests of the United States and of the people of China to have more contact with and interaction rather than less. First of all, trade with China directly affects hard-working Americans in my district. For example, more than one-third of our agricultural production is exported, and China is the largest potential overseas market for our cotton, beef, and other products. Secondly, we cannot afford to forget that China has more people than any other country in the world; it has the world's largest economy after ours; and it has a strong military with missiles and nuclear warheads which can reach the United States. While Chinese leaders have done a number of things with which we do not agree, we should not ignore or cut off contact with a country that will inevitably play an increasingly important role in world affairs. Finally, I believe that continuing trade with China is in the best interests of the people of China. They have more freedom today, than they ever had since the Communists took control in 1949. The areas where people have the greatest freedom are those areas with the most contact with the outside world.”