U.S. Congress Approves Normal Trade Relations With China

The U.S. House of Representatives Thursday voted overwhelmingly for President George W. Bush's request to extend normal trade relations with China.

The house, by a vote of 259-169, shot down a motion calling for overturning Bush's decision to renew normal trade ties with China.

Supporters argued that it would be short-sighted to suspend normal trade relations with China, considering that China is about the join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and would open its vast market to more U.S. goods and services.

Democrat Representative Jim Moran from Virginia said: "We have much to lose, and little to gain, by failing to continue our current trade relationship with China."

The vote could be the last this year since Congress last year adopted a bill to set up permanent normal trade relations with China once the country gains access to the World Trade Organization (WTO). China's accession to the WTO is expected to take place this year.

Under a 1974 U.S. law, the president must extend an annual waiver to continue trade relations with China. That waiver has been granted to China every year since 1980, and Congress has never been able to overturn that decision.

President Bush presented to Congress a letter on June 1, formally requesting extension of the normal trade relations status to China for another year.

"Fair trade is essential not only to improving living standards for Americans but also for a strong and productive relationship with China," Bush said.

Normal trade relations with China are strongly supported by major U.S. business groups.

(Xinhua News Agency 07/20/2001)