Patty Murray: “Tomorrow is a critical date in United States trade relations with the People's Republic of China. The United States…”

“Tomorrow is a critical date in United States trade relations with the People's Republic of China. The United States Trade Representative has found that the PRC is seriously deficient in its protection of intellectual property rights. Talks have broken off, and unless the Chinese change their laws and improve their enforcement at this eleventh hour, the United States will impose steep tariffs on a number of products imported from the PRC, starting tomorrow. I am disappointed that the situation has deteriorated to this point. More than 1 year ago I invited the Chinese Ambassador, United States executives and other Members of the Washington congressional delegation to my office to discuss this issue. I spoke with President Clinton and U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Kantor as well. I encouraged all sides to get together and work toward a solution to the problem. As a proponent of free trade, I am hopeful talks will be resumed and the Chinese Government will take serious steps to protect intellectual property rights. Hard-working people in the State of Washington are losing too much money to international pirates. This must end, and our relationship with this important trading partner must resume as quickly as possible. It is up to the Clinton administration, and, more importantly, to the Chinese, to show some leadership. If China wants to be a global economic player, they have to play by the global economic rules. And those rules don't allow piracy.”