Bush Grants China Permanent Normal Trade Status

Voice of America, December 27, 2001

President Bush has granted permanent normal trading status to China, ending a quarter-century policy of annually reviewing China's human rights record before granting trade privileges.

Mr. Bush signed the proclamation Thursday at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, where he is vacationing.

The president called the trade proclamation the final step in normalizing U.S. - China trade relations, and said it would open up the vast Chinese markets to billions of dollars in American goods.

The president's move grants China the same low-tariff levels the United States extends to nearly all other nations, starting January first. Until now, Congress decided annually whether to grant China the trade privileges.

Mr. Bush's decision was not unexpected. The United States promised last year to grant permanent trading status to China as soon as it joined the World Trade Organization. China became a member earlier this month.

Many U.S. lawmakers had opposed granting trade privileges to China, citing its human rights record, including the use of prison labor.

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