An agreement with economic and political benefits As the House prepares to vote on a landmark trade bill with China, the arguments back and forth offer insight into the differing world views of proponents and opponents. Those who support normalizing trade relations with China say the United States cannot isolate itself from China's growing economy that American innovation, not fear, is what keeps its economy strong. It is this more optimistic view of the world, of course, that reflects American tradition and history.
Isolationism can have no role in an America that wishes to lead the world.
Besides, isolationism is an impossible position to maintain in this new world economy. President Clinton and other proponents of the trade bill insist that it is China that is making the concessions, not the United States, and they are right. In exchange for Washington's support for its bid to join the World Trade Organization, China will drop the trade barriers that keep American farmers and corporations from doing business the way they want to do business in China. The impact of these new trade relationships, the expanded contact with the international community that would follow, can be expected to have considerable impact on China. An extraordinary array of Chinese leaders have come forward to support the trade deal, including government officials and their critics in the pro-democracy movement.