TEXT: AGRICULTURE SECRETARY GLICKMAN ON CHINA MFN
(China MFN vote will affect U.S. agricultural exports)Washington -- The vote on China's most-favored-nation (MFN) trading status will decide the fate of $3.3 billion in exports of American agricultural products, according to Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman.
In a radio address released July 15, Glickman said: "Including Hong Kong, China is now the fourth largest market in the world for U.S. farm and food products. Our agricultural exports there have nearly tripled since 1993. And, in the last year China has imported record levels of hides and skins and soybeans and soybean products."
"While the numbers are good," Glickman said, "I know they can -- and should -- be better. And, I told the Chinese just that when I met with them last month."
Following is the text of Glickman's address:
(begin text)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Release No. 0284.98
Remarks by
Agriculture Secretary Dan GlickmanRadio Address on Most-Favored-Nation Trading Status for China
"In the coming weeks, Congress will vote on whether President Clinton can extend most-favored-nation trade status to China for another year. For America's farmers and ranchers, this vote is not just about foreign policy -- it's about dollars and cents.
"The MFN vote will decide the fate of $3.3 billion in exports of American agricultural products. Including Hong Kong, China is now the fourth largest market in the world for U.S. farm and food products. Our agricultural exports there have nearly tripled since 1993. And, in the last year China has imported record levels of hides and skins and soybeans and soybean products.
"While the numbers are good, I know they can -- and should -- be better. And, I told the Chinese just that when I met with them last month.
"So, what is MFN? Despite its name, MFN does not confer a special, privileged status. Just the opposite. It is the normal treatment the United States extends to, and receives from, virtually every country in the world.
"America's farmers and ranchers know how important trade with foreign countries is to the balance sheets at home. The United States cannot afford to close the door on China and the 20 percent of the world's population who lives there.
"President Clinton's policy of engagement with China is working. I saw it first hand last month when I was part of the President's historic trip to China. From the government officials I negotiated with, to the students I talked to, to the scientists who showed me around their research facilities, the people of China are becoming engaged in the affairs of the world.
"Let's not turn our backs on their progress. For America's farmers and ranchers, this is about more than foreign policy -- it really is a matter of dollars and cents."
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