Making the rounds of the Sunday talk shows, other Capitol Hill lawmakers involved in foreign affairs agreed with Biden's assessment of the situation. There will be retribution. With China's efforts to gain entry into the World Trade Organization slowed, the Bush administration will likely have to decide this summer whether the U.S. will extend trade benefits to China for another year. But while many lawmakers said the recent standoff is likely to have lasting effects on everything from the arms deal to trade relations, others warned that Congress must use caution in making decisions about China. The administration is scheduled to start meetings with China on Wednesday over the standoff.
Many observers expect the administration to take a hard line.
A week ago, top officials such as Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Colin Powell made the administration's case on the talk shows for the release of the detained air crew of 24 Americans. On Sunday, no administration official appeared on them. President Bush stayed at his Texas ranch on Saturday rather than attend the crew's homecoming ceremony in Washington state. He did send them greetings. The pilot of the surveillance plane, Lt. Shane Osborn, said he was not offended that Bush stayed away and said the president invited the crew to visit the White House later.