Charlene Barshefsky

USA: TRADE SECRETARY BARSHEFSKY ON CHINA/PNTR

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• published: 21 Jul 2015
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English/Nat A senior U-S official on Tuesday urged Congress to grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status so as to clear the way for Beijing's accession to the World Trade Organization (W-T-O). U-S Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky told The New York-based Asia Society that China's accession to the W-T-O and P-N-T-R is "one of the most important American trade and foreign policy goals." The United States Trade Representative, Charlene Barshefsky, was in New York City on Tuesday promoting the trade agreement between the U-S and China to join the World Trade Organisation (W-T-O). Congress has yet to ratify the agreement, in which China agreed to liberalise its trade regime and open its markets to foreign companies. In exchange, the U-S would grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (P-N-T-R). As it stands, China must renew its P-N-T-R each year. Speaking at the luncheon given by the Asia Society, Barshefsky said the agreement would unable the U-S to enforce China's trade commitments. SOUNDBITE: (English) "This agreement also strengthens our guarantees of fair trade with China, and it gives us far greater ability to enforce China's trade commitments. By contrast, all the United States does, is to continue to give China on a permanent basis, the normal trade relation status we have given China every year for the last 20-plus years". SUPERCAPTION: Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative While the Clinton administration is intensifying its efforts to pass the trade agreement with China, representatives of the European Union last week failed to reach their own agreement while in Beijing. SOUNDBITE: (English) "If Congress would refuse to grant permanent normal trade relations with China, we risk losing the benefits we negotiated, we will have succeeded in opening China to the world, but our businesses, our farmers, our workers, may well be left behind. That is a completely unacceptable, not to mention completely irrational outcome." SUPERCAPTION: Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative The U-S China deal covers 80 percent of what the E-U wants. 14 other countries must also reach agreements with China in order for it to join the international regulatory body. Labour unions and human rights groups have criticised the U-S government for its trade agreement with China, saying that China's labour policies and human rights abuses should not be supported by the U-S. Barshefsky noted that economic reforms in China have in fact led to political reforms. SOUNDBITE: (English) "But it is also fair to note, that as reform has proceeded in China, respect for a number of basic rights and liberties, cited in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, has grown. This true with respect for example the property rights, with farmers able to farm their own land, entrepreneurs able to start their own businesses, and families able to pass on their property to their children. Openness to information, with Chinese citizens able to listen to foreign radio and TV, and more recently access the Net." SUPERCAPTION: Charlene Barshefsky, U-S Trade Representative Barshefsky also said the U-S is supporting a resolution by the United Nations Security Council to censure China on its human rights abuses - but to maintain open trade relations at the same time. The luncheon was disrupted for a brief moment by Tibetan protestors shouting "Free Tibet, Free Trade". They were quickly escorted out of the hotel. However, according to an annual report on human rights released by the U-S State Department, China's human rights record has continued to worsen. This is the second consecutive year the U-S has said China's treatment of its citizens has worsened. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/259ab7758851091d1d6729e09d7dd053 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork