The Clinton China deal provides huge and specific benefits for U.S. banks, insurance companies, retailers, airlines, and entertainment companies. These corporations have pledged to mount an all-out campaign to pass the legislation needed. They will be joined by those who are ideologically committed to the idea of unregulated globalization. There's a hitch, however. Over two-thirds of Americans oppose bringing China into the WTO without further progress on human rights and religious freedom.
Organized labor seems to have decided to take a stand on the China issue.
The Battle of Seattle has already provided a kickoff for that campaign. The coalition is in place, experienced, and relatively united. The battle can only be won if it is not defined as an issue of trade with China or of protectionism vs. free trade, but rather as an issue of what kind of global economy we want. The real debate is not over whether to be part of the global economy, but over what are the rules for that economy and who makes them. While the issue of human rights in China is important, bashing China for its poor human rights record will not suffice.