But China can be a powerful ally. There is no more powerful tool for positive change in China than trade with the United States. I worry that the trend towards isolationism will lead us into another Cold War. Granting China permanent normal trade relations will have a tremendous diplomatic impact. But China is not large in just a military sense.
China is the sixth-largest market in the world for American agricultural products.
Over the next decade, China will account for over one-third of the growth in U.S. agricultural exports. This represents a huge market for Nebraska agricultural and manufactured goods and services. Nebraska is already a significant exporter of farm, industrial and consumer goods to China. New trade and investment opportunities promise employment and an improved standard of living for Nebraska's families. For these reasons, normal trade relations with China will benefit Nebraska.