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Bush Says Open Trade Benefits China, US
US President George W. Bush on Tuesday announced he would submit legislation this week to renew normal trade relations with China, saying "open trade is a force for freedom in China."
In a speech to the World Affairs Council of Los Angeles, Bush made clear he wants free trade with China in spite of strained relations with Beijing triggered by the April 1 collision of two military planes of their countries.
"Open trade is a force for freedom in China, a force for stability in Asia, and a force for prosperity in the United States," Bush said. "And this is not just my personal view.
"The institutions and individuals in China who are the least friendly to freedom are often the least friendly to trade -- the institutions and individuals most sympathetic to freedom are often the most friendly to trade," Bush said.
Last year, the US Congress approved granting China "permanent normal trade relations" status -- putting it on par with most US trading partners -- but the deal hinged upon Beijing's entry into the World Trade Organization.
Entry talks have dragged on and China is not expected to enter until early next year, analysts say, so Bush must now seek a one-year extension of China's trade benefits.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the China trade relations debate will be "an interesting test for the Senate to see if it is bipartisan."
In addition to the China trade status legislation, Bush also hopes to win approval of expedited authority to negotiate trade agreements -- key to his pledge to help create a Free Trade Area of the Americas -- and win approval of a US-Vietnam trade pact negotiated last year.
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