INSIDE WASHINGTON/Local officials call for China support

A group of moderate Democratic mayors and county officials is voicing support for a controversial trade bill that would open up the China market to U.S. businesses. Extending permanent normalized trade relations (PNTR) to China is the most controversial trade initiative Congress will address in the 106th legislative session, and key proponents have reached out to local officials seeking their support.

President Clinton, who supports PNTR, describes the legislation as “by far the most important national security vote [Congress] will cast this year.” House Democratic leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri and Democratic Whip David Bonior of Michigan oppose the measure, while Senate Democratic leaders are supporting it. A majority of the Republicans in both chambers also appears to be supporting it.

Critics argue that the U.S. should not ease trade restrictions against China because of the country’s abysmal record on human rights and the environment. And labor unions say that, if the PNTR bill becomes law, it would siphon jobs away from American workers.

But a group of moderate Democratic local officials joined Clinton and others last month to support the proposal. Nearly 50 local officials signed a petition drafted by the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) expressing their support for PNTR. Ninety Democratic state officials, including state representatives and governors, also signed the petition. The local officials say that tearing down the trade barrier with China would benefit local businesses and, in turn, help spur economic growth in their communities.

“San Jose is the capital of Silicon Valley, and the high-tech companies in our city need access to international markets, including China, to compete and to succeed in the global economy,” says Mayor Ron Gonzales of San Jose, Calif. “Because our region is such a major center for exports, access to international markets is important for our local residents, neighborhoods and businesses.”

Plainfield, N.J., Mayor Albert McWil-liams is banking on using the trade agreement to revitalize a community that suffers a 6.9 percent unemployment rate. Once a thriving manufacturing town, Plainfield lost much of its industry in the 1960s. “Right now we are importing a lot of material from China into the United States,” McWilliams says. “It is a leap, I want to encourage anything that we could possibly take advantage of that encourages manufacturing in this country.”

Many of the mayors concede PNTR is a difficult issue given China’s shortfalls on human rights and the environment. However, each echoed the standard defense that says the best way to bring change to China is for the United States to be involved with the nation. “It’s a tough call,” says Bloomington, Ind., Mayor John Fernandez. “But if you are not engaged, what is the alternative, and how do you have an impact?”

For the past five years, Mayor Dannel Malloy of Stamford, Conn., has hosted several visits by Chinese dignitaries interested in learning how the U.S. government and the country’s businesses operate. He supports PNTR but adds that China’s internal problems are not lost on him. “Am I endorsing the Chinese government’s policy towards its people? No,” Malloy says. “Do I think increased trading with China will help [prevent abuses]? Yes.”

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Dem Conn.), who serves as the DLC chairman, says the endorsement by local officials is valuable because it helps put a human face on the PNTR legislation. “It makes the point that trade with China affects jobs where people live, in cities and counties around the America,” he says.