In recent months, there has been a growing call to revoke China’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status. This call has been amplified by President Donald Trump, who asked his Cabinet members to assess legislative proposals regarding PNTR on the first day of his second term. In response, Republican Representative John Moolenaar and Democratic lawmaker Tom Suozzi introduced a bipartisan bill to revoke China’s PNTR status.
China has held PNTR status since 2000, when Congress first passed legislation on the matter. Prior to that, Beijing’s trade status was reviewed annually. However, the current state of U.S.-China relations has raised concerns and prompted the need for a reassessment of this status.
In an exclusive interview with VOA, Republican Representative Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, who has also proposed legislation to revoke China’s PNTR status, highlighted the reasons behind this call. He stated that China’s actions, such as stealing American technology, setting up police stations in various cities across the U.S., and engaging in unfair trade practices, have abused the goodwill of the American people. He believes that revoking China’s PNTR status and having it renewed on an annual basis will hold the Chinese government accountable for their actions.
Representative Tiffany also shared how China’s actions have directly affected his district in Wisconsin. He mentioned the case of ginseng, a crop that is predominantly grown in his district, and how China has used it as a weapon in trade negotiations. This has not only affected the ginseng growers but has also been used as a political weapon to turn them against Republicans and President Trump.
When asked about his stance on imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, Representative Tiffany expressed his support for it. He believes in the idea of reciprocal tariffs, where if China imposes a tariff on a particular product, the U.S. should do the same. He also stressed the need for fair trade and highlighted the importance of addressing other urgent issues such as the abuse of Uyghur people in Western China and the need for a full accounting of the origins of the coronavirus.
Looking towards the future, Representative Tiffany believes that if the U.S. continues with the policies of President Trump, there is potential for good relations with China. However, he also emphasized the need for China to give up communism and rule their country in a more democratic manner.
In conclusion, the call to revoke China’s PNTR status is a necessary step in holding China accountable for their actions and ensuring fair trade practices. The U.S. has the largest consumer base, and it is time for China to respect that and engage in a more mutually beneficial relationship. With a strong America, there is potential for better relations with China, but it is also important for China to make necessary changes in their policies and actions.
