Trade is clearly a major component of our dynamic economy.
China is a large piece of that equation now, and will be more significant in the future. I will not dwell on the facts and figures, since the record is clear and the statistics staggering. Instead, I will make three points about the importance of trade with China to the economic future of the Pacific Northwest, which I represent, and to the economic future of America. First, this agreement advances U.S. economic interests with little or no risk to us. Second, the best approach to improving China's appalling record on human rights and democracy is through the freer, more open trade promoted by this agreement.