China is a country that does not tolerate political dissent or free speech. Today, countries like Cuba, North Korea, Iraq and Burma face sanctions from the U.S. because of certain crimes either arms sales or threats to neighboring democracies or massive human rights abuses. Though on the side of angels, Law, Sweeney, Pope and Wu didn't have a prayer. Congress passed PNTR by a 237-197 margin. This country feels the ramifications of that vote.
China is now the largest exporter to the U.S., surpassing Japan.
So much for the argument that a growing Chinese middle class was going to buy sophisticated American products. The U.S. dropped another 182,000 manufacturing jobs in 2000. The country has lost 638,000 factory jobs since June 1998. But oh boy, do we enjoy snapping up those cheap shoes, shirts and socks in places like Kmart. That's the advantage of keeping the Chinese down the plantation.