MFN is in fact the routine, nondiscriminatory tariff treatment enjoyed by all but six countries in the world. Instead, the United States should continue the policy of comprehensive engagement with China which recognizes our vital interest in maintaining regional stability, preventing weapons proliferation, fostering democratic ideas and working towards fair and free trade. It is clear that expanding U.S.-China trade is in America's economic interest. These exports support hundreds of thousands of high-wage American jobs. U.S.-China trade also supports tens of thousands of jobs at ports, retail establishments, and consumer good companies.
China is a crucial market for American farmers.
As China embarks on its massive infrastructure program, it will spend billions of dollars in sectors in which U.S. firms are very competitive. Over the next decade, China will be an important market for members of the U.S. Chamber that export high technology equipment, aerospace, telecommunications, petroleum technology, agricultural products and consumer goods. American consumers and small shop owners also benefit from trade with China. Small and medium-sized American companies selling these goods would also be hard hit. Withdrawing MFN is simply not a viable option.