I believe that the United States, and the Chinese people, are clearly better off by strengthening our relationship through trade. Integrating China into the world community has already paid dividends. Recognizing that China still has many problems, most people would agree that significant progress has been made just in the last 10 years. I believe our economic and diplomatic relations with China have helped push this progress along. This is not to say that we shouldn't be tough with China.
Retaliatory measures can be very effective in encouraging further reforms in China.
But retaliation should be targeted and specific. Now it's clear that China has taken significant strides in cracking down on the pirating of intellectual property. Firm sanctions targeted at specific behavior can force change in China. Revoking Normal Trade Relations is a blunt, ineffective tool. It would also hurt American workers, businesses and consumers.