President Richard Nixon made a bold move by opening the door to China because he correctly understood the important role that China would play in world politics. One way or another, China will be a player in this global economy. By bringing China into the WTO, Beijing will be one step closer to becoming a responsible player in the international community. Critics who argue that China will renege on its trade agreements should also note that, for the first time, China will be subject to the rules and regulations of an international body composed of 135 member nations. Finally, there is little doubt that China s entry into the WTO is the right move for American workers.
China is now the world s third largest economy after the United States and Japan.
China s leaders recognize that if the country is to become a true economic powerhouse and avoid the fate of the former Soviet Union, then the government will have to make large investments in the country s infrastructure. The country will need new airports, power generators, telecommunications equipment, microchips, and high-speed computers. Whether in Silicon Valley or the Route 128 high-tech belt in Massachusetts, US companies are in a great position to build these projects and contribute to China s economic and political reforms. This translates into more high-paying American jobs here at home. The reality is, if Congress votes no on normal relations with Beijing, US competitors in Europe and elsewhere will capture these new market opportunities while the US sits on the sidelines.