In recent months, the calls to revoke China’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status have grown louder. The issue has gained significant attention, with President Donald Trump asking his Cabinet members to assess legislative proposals regarding PNTR on the first day of his second term. This was followed by the introduction of a bipartisan bill by Republican Representative John Moolenaar and Democratic lawmaker Tom Suozzi to revoke China’s PNTR status.
China has held PNTR status since 2000, when Congress first passed legislation on the matter. Prior to that, Beijing’s trade status was reviewed annually. However, concerns over China’s unfair trade practices, theft of American technology, and human rights abuses have led to an increased push for the revocation of PNTR status.
In an exclusive interview with VOA, Republican Representative Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, who also proposed legislation to revoke China’s PNTR status, shared his views on the current state of US-China relations and the need for accountability from the Chinese government.
Representative Tiffany believes that the goodwill of the American people has been abused by China. He highlights the theft of intellectual property and the establishment of police stations in various US cities by China as major concerns. He believes that the granting of most favored nation status to China in 2000 has allowed them to prosper at the expense of American interests. Therefore, he has proposed legislation with Representative Chris Smith from New Jersey to revoke permanent most favored nation status and have it renewed annually, in order to hold China accountable.
Representative Tiffany also highlighted the impact of China’s actions on his district, especially on the trade front. He shared an example of how the Chinese government has used ginseng, a major product of his district, as a political weapon in trade negotiations. This has had a negative impact on the ginseng growers and the state of Wisconsin.
When asked about his stance on imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, Representative Tiffany expressed his support for the use of tariffs as a means to ensure fair trade. He believes in the principle of reciprocal tariffs, where the US will impose tariffs in response to China’s actions. He also emphasized the need for a full accounting of China’s actions, such as the abuse of the Uyghur people and the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking towards the future, Representative Tiffany believes that if the US continues with the policies of President Trump, there is potential for good relations with China. However, he also highlights the importance of China giving up communism and ruling their country in a more democratic manner.
In conclusion, the issue of China’s PNTR status has gained significant attention in recent months, with bipartisan efforts to revoke it. Representative Tiffany believes that this is a necessary step to hold China accountable for their unfair trade practices and human rights abuses. He also believes that with strong leadership and policies, the US can have a positive relationship with China in the future. However, it is important for China to address these concerns and work towards being a responsible global player.
