Column U.S. should grant permanent trade status to China
By ROBERT F. DRINAN
In late May the U.S. House of
Representatives must decide whether to grant to China the permanent normal
trading relations extended to virtually every nation on the Earth. The
questions are tough, the vote will be close and the consequences are
enormous.
The United States should grant this status to China. Isolation can
only deepen hostility and delay the reforms Chinas critics demand.
Many people in human rights groups, and especially those motivated
by religious considerations, oppose normal trade relations. The human rights
record of China is deplorable; it continues to arrest religious dissidents and
oppress the underground Catholic church; its virtual requirement of abortion of
a couples second or third child is horrendous. China is still governed by
communist principles, although it is in some ways moving to market
economics.
Recently, however, a group of clergy led by the Quakers (Society
of Friends) joined in a statement that the better overall policy is to
establish normal trade relations with China and use the increased presence of
the West it affords as a way to advocate higher standards on human rights,
environmental measures and labor conditions. Holy Cross Fr. Theodore Hesburgh,
president emeritus of Notre Dame University, has joined this group.
Many members of the house are divided because granting trade
status to China will be seen as a no vote for the labor unions, as
was the North American Free Trade Agreement. Some of labors arguments are
powerful and have been supported by both liberals and conservatives in the
Congress. Its hard to argue with the idea of ensuring decent wages,
protecting political freedom or defending the environment.
The fact is, however, that if Congress extends permanent trade
status to China, when it enters the World Trade Organization it will be bound
by the full range of commitments in the U.S.-China Bilateral Trade Agreement.
These commitments will move China in the direction of reform, accountability
and even to granting religious freedom.
It must be remembered that for a thousand years China has never
held an election, and its government structure is authoritarian to the core.
Reform will not come overnight, but when it comes, it will be because China was
tugged in that direction by the lure of economic development and peaceful
relations.
Americas economic sanctions against Cuba are obsolete, and
our economic boycott of Iraq is bringing horrendous consequences to the
children of that country. What possible benefit will come from isolating China
economically? It is simply unrealistic to refuse to deal on normal terms with a
nation that contains about one-fifth of the human race.
A letter to members of Congress with the strong support of the
Friends Committee on National Legislation (the Quakers) is worth quoting:
It is far more likely that China will cooperate and begin to observe
international norms of behavior if it is recognized by the U.S. as an equal
partner within the community of nations than if it is isolated or
excluded.
Jesuit Fr. Robert Drinan is a professor at Georgetown
University Law Center.
National Catholic Reporter, May 19,
2000
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