The China Vote: U.S. Global Leadership at Stake
Gene Sperling to address business leaders on PNTR with China

March 30, 2000

A group of top business leaders has hailed the extension of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to China as “an important decision that will have lasting effects on the United States’ standing as a global economic leader.”

In a report released in late March, the Committee for Economic Development (CED) clearly and simply lays out a strong case for Congress to grant PNTR status to China – a move that CED believes is in the long-term best interest of American workers and the U.S. economy.

As the vote in Congress approaches, the Honorable Gene Sperling, Assistant to the President and Director of the National Economic Council, will address CED Trustees and members of the Washington policy community on the importance of the PNTR vote at a luncheon on May 18, 2000.

The Case for Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China argues that China’s entry into the WTO will require policy changes within China that will support the country’s economic advancement -- and lead to greater trade and investment with the United States.

As China opens further to the world economy, its economic strides will bring about significant gains in other areas, particularly in fostering political and social change in China. This will enhance U.S. peace and security and allow greater cooperation between our nations in labor rights and environmental protection.

CED has been a longstanding proponent of U.S. leadership in the global economy and free trade.  The vote on PNTR status for China is a ratification of our longer-term commitment to an open trading system.  If we expect other countries, especially smaller countries, to stay within a system that provides tremendous benefits for both the United States and the world, then we must also be the leaders in preserving that system.

CED is an independent, nonpartisan public policy organization of more than 200 business and academic leaders committed to promoting economic growth and greater opportunity for all Americans.  Elliot Schwartz, Vice President and Director of Economic Studies at CED, directed the China-PNTR project. 

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The Case for Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China is available from the Committee for Economic Development, 477 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, telephone - (212) 688-2063 (dial ext. 274 to order), fax - (212) 758-9068.  The full text of the report is also available on our website at www.ced.org.