Washington, DC- The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has been an advocate of fair and open trade since its inception almost three decades ago. CCIA is encouraged that the U.S. House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to grant permanent normal trade relations to China, which is poised to play a major and growing role in the global economy. The vote late this afternoon was 237-197 in favor of PNTR legislation (H.R. 4444).
“With 1.2 billion citizens, PNTR provides enormous opportunities for Chinese and U.S. technology companies,” stated Ed Black, President/CEO of CCIA. “Trade with the United States will help create change in China and improve human rights for its population and lead to a more democratic, open society. The best way to develop better relations with China is by promoting trade between our two nations.
Giving China permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) would do away with annual reviews of Beijing’s trade status and permanently guarantee Chinese goods the same access to U.S. markets as products from nearly every other nation. China would, in turn, open a wide range of markets, from agriculture to telecommunications, to U.S. businesses. Passage of PNTR would also ease the way for China to join the World Trade Organization under the terms of a landmark trade agreement China negotiated with the United States last year.
“In today’s competitive global economy, it is important for the United States to send China the message that we will trade with them on a fair basis, so long as they are willing to respect our trading rights and international trading norms,” stated Black.