Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 29, 1993 TAG: 9305290117
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short
Clinton called it "a new chapter in United States policy toward China," which has been under Communist rule for four decades.
Despite tough rhetoric, Clinton's order renewing most-favored-trade status does not actually impose new conditions on Beijing.
Instead, Clinton said he will start insisting on Chinese progress on such issues as human rights, fair trade and nuclear nonproliferation by next year.
"I don't want to isolate China; I want to do what's good for the Chinese people. But I think standing up for American values, and values in China, is the way to go," the president told reporters.
Most-favored-nation treatment allows countries to sell to the United States at reduced tariffs. Most U.S. trading partners enjoy this status.
During his campaign, Clinton promised to overturn President Bush's policy of annually renewing China's favored status without conditions. Bush condemned China's human rights practices but argued against attaching strings to trade.
The policy announced Friday by Clinton is a middle ground between his campaign rhetoric and the approach followed by Bush.
by CNB