Congressman Rangel also pointed out that the U.S., too, has had to face its human rights problems. The issues that opponents point to like worker rights, environmental rights, and human rights are all very important issues. There's no doubt that China needs to improve dramatically in all of these areas. But the United States, which I think is the greatest on earth, also needs to improve labor standards, environmental protection, and human rights - particularly for the poor and people of color. Rangel also made the point that the U.S. should be ending its embargo with Cuba and opening up trade relations even while it is working out the final details of PNTR for China.
Communism is wrong, whether it's in Cuba or China.
If anything, the ineffectiveness of our current Cuba policy helped convince me that trade with these nations is a better way to fight communism than shutting them out. It is essential that the Bereuter-Levin plan be included in the bill granting China its permanent trading status. Just because we grant PNTR does not mean that we cannot continue to shine a bright light on China's record and make sure that China follows through on its commitments. Return to The United States and China . Return to IIP Home Page .