Explore the tactics used by groups in the United States to lobby Congress. Design persuasive commercials with respect to Congress's vote on China's trading status. Express their views on China's trade status through letters to their local congressmen and congresswomen. The United States grants many of its trading partners permanent MFN status, but others are subject to a review of MFN status every year by Congress. Congress has been granting China MFN status on an annual basis since 1979 and is now considering making this status permanent.
Students then share and discuss their answers.
Divide students into groups of three or four. Place the red and blue slips of paper in a hat or bag, and have a representative from each group select one. Students should then prepare and perform the commercials for the class. The letter should be short and to the point. Students may wish to package their letters together and send them.