U.S. Chamber Calls for China NTR

WASHINGTON, DC-The United States Chamber of Commerce today called on Congress to support Normal Trade Relations (NTR) for China, extending for another year current United States tariffs on Chinese goods and ensuring continuation of bilateral trade, which helps fuel America's economy and create jobs.

"It is in our own national interest to extend Normal Trade Relations with China," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "Extension of NTR ensures that American companies and workers will continue to benefit from access to China's enormous market."

President Bush announced the White House is formally requesting Congress to extend NTR with China. Another one-year extension is necessary, despite last year's passage of permanent normal trade relations, because China has not yet completed the commitments necessary to join the World Trade Organization.

China is the fourth largest trading partner of the U.S. and the U.S. is China's second largest trading partner. In 2000, the U.S. exported over $16 billion in goods to China, representing a 24% increase over the previous year.

"Improvement of U.S.-China economic and political ties should be a national priority," Donohue continued. "Normal Trade Relations will help ease international tensions by strengthening U.S.-China relations and by demonstrating our commitment to bringing China into a rules-based society of nations."

The Chamber has met extensively with lawmakers from both parties over the past year, and will continue to be active with this administration, while it builds a consensus on NTR.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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