*EPF307 05/17/00
Text: Rep. Rangel Announces Support for China PNTR
(Rangel says he respects those who oppose China PNTR) (880)

The Clinton Administration gained a key endorsement May 16 for granting permanent Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status to China from Representative Charles Rangel (Democrat of New York), the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

One day before the markup of H.R. 4444 in the House Ways and Means Committee, legislation that would grant China permanent NTR status, Rangel announced his support for the legislation.

Rangel said he respects the viewpoint of those lawmakers who are against granting China permanent NTR status because of that country's poor human and labor rights records, but pointed out that "without PNTR for China the U.S. would lose some of its influence in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and almost all of its ability to push China toward providing more freedom for its citizens," according to a May 16 press release from his office.

Rangel's press statement also said he applauds the efforts of Trade Subcommittee Ranking Democrat Sander Levin (Democrat of Michigan) and International Relations Asia Subcommittee Chairman Doug Bereuter (Republican of Nebraska) to craft "bipartisan provisions within the PNTR legislation to maintain multiple pressure points on China while still getting the benefits of the U.S.-China trade agreement negotiated last year."

Following is the text of the press release:

(begin text)

Tuesday, May 16, 2000
REP. RANGEL ANNOUNCES DECISION TO
VOTE 'YES' ON GRANTING PNTR TO CHINA

Weighing both sides, Ranking Ways and Means Democrat
says he respects those who oppose China measure, but
that passing it is best for both the American and Chinese people

WASHINGTON -- The Ways and Means Committee's most senior Democrat, Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), announced today that, after carefully weighing many considerations and viewpoints, he has decided to support President Clinton's proposal to grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations to the People's Republic of
China.

"I respect every individual member's decision -- whatever it may be. There were many factors I considered in making my decision, including what best creates and maintains jobs for Americans, keeps our economy strong, improves human and worker rights in China, and continues our engagement with China and our influence within the WTO," Rangel said.

Rep. Rangel said that he respects those voting against the measure because of China's poor human and labor rights records. However, Rep. Rangel pointed out that, without PNTR for China, the U.S. would lose some of its influence in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and almost all of its ability to push China toward providing more freedom for its citizens. Congressman Rangel also pointed out that the U.S., too, has had to face its human rights problems.

"The issues that opponents point to like worker rights, environmental rights, and human rights are all very important issues. There's no doubt that China needs to improve dramatically in all of these areas. But the United States, which I think is the greatest on earth, also needs to improve labor standards, environmental protection, and human rights - particularly for the poor and people of color.

I do not see how anyone can judge a member's record on human rights based solely on whether or not they support PNTR, when there are so many problems here in the U.S.," Rep. Rangel said.

Rangel also made the point that the U.S. should be ending its embargo with Cuba and opening up trade relations even while it is working out the final details of PNTR for China.

"We should not apply a double-standard -- if China, why not Cuba? Communism is wrong, whether it's in Cuba or China. If anything, the ineffectiveness of our current Cuba policy helped convince me that trade with these nations is a better way to fight communism than shutting them out. If Congress has time to pass PNTR for China now, then we also have time to do what's right and debate whether we should end the Cuba embargo," Rep. Rangel said.

Rangel applauded the efforts of Trade Subcommittee Ranking Democrat Sander Levin (D-MI) and International Relations Asia Subcommittee Chairman Doug Bereuter (R-NE) to craft bipartisan provisions within the PNTR legislation to maintain multiple pressure points on China while still getting the benefits of the U.S.-China trade agreement negotiated last year.

"It is essential that the Bereuter-Levin plan be included in the bill granting China its permanent trading status. Just because we grant PNTR does not mean that we cannot continue to shine a bright light on China's record and make sure that China follows through on its commitments. I have supported Sandy's efforts to develop this over the last year, and I continue to support strongly the bipartisan plan he has worked out with Rep, Bereuter and others," Ranking Member Rangel said.

(end text)

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

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