U.S. Dept. of State - IIP: The United States and China

Text: Ways and Means Chairman Archer Releases Poll on China PNTR
(Archer: 67 percent say NTR will help China human rights)

Representative Bill Archer (Republican of Texas), a long-time supporter of granting China permanent Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status, released the results of a poll that shows 67 percent of Americans and an even larger 72 percent of Democrats support permanent NTR status for China.

Archer, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, presented the poll findings at a May 10 morning meeting of the National Association of Manufacturers' Tax and Budget Policy Committee where he spoke with Representative Robert Matsui (Democrat of California).

Matsui is the Clinton Administration's point man for winning the vote in the House of Representatives for granting permanent NTR status for China.

Archer said the poll showed Americans support granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations to China.

The Texas Republican said 67 percent of those surveyed "believe efforts to improve human rights and environmental conditions in China would be helped by opening China to trade with the U.S., and that number includes 72% of self-identified Democrats.

"So it appears that the opponents' campaign of misinformation and fear may only be influencing Members of Congress, not the American people," Archer said.

Americans Favor China NTR by 2 to 1 Margin, Says New Poll
The Poll -- 67% of Americans and 72% of Democrats Say
China Trade Will Help Human Rights and Environmental Conditions in China
Archer Releases Results of New China NTR Poll

WASHINGTON -- Chairman Bill Archer (R-TX) today released the results of a new poll that shows that Americans overwhelmingly favor normal trade relations with China. Excerpts of Chairman Archer's prepared remarks follow (spoken remarks may differ slightly).

"I'm pleased to announce the results of a brand new poll that shows Americans, by a more than two to one margin, believe that free trade with China would be in the best interests of the U.S. 75% of Americans said they believe opening the world's largest consumer market to U.S. exports would lead to increased jobs in the U.S. And listen to this, 67% believe efforts to improve human rights and environmental conditions in China would be helped by opening China to trade with the U.S., and that number includes 72% of self-identified Democrats! So it appears that the opponents' campaign of misinformation and fear may only be influencing Members of Congress, not the American people.

In fact, this poll shows that rank and file Democrats -- those non-union Democrat households that make up almost 80% of the Democrat party -- support NTR with China by a margin of 62-33%. As we approach this historic vote in two weeks, make no mistake that Americans are solidly behind this: they know it's good for jobs, good for human rights, and good for US-China relations. Now, the only things that can stop us are partisan politics and special interests, which I hope will not prevail over the wishes of the American people."

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)