More headlines: George W. Bush on China
(Following are older quotations. Click here for main quotations.)
China in WTO supports freedom, security and economics
The issue is whether to extend normal trade relations to China on a permanent basis. This is not a Republican or Democratic concern. It is an American concern. There are three compelling reasons to support this agreement - freedom, security and economics
Source: Press release for speech at Boeing in Washington State
May 18, 2000
Free trade with China creates expectations for democracy
“NAFTA is good for Texas, it is good for Mexico, and it is important for our citizens to understand it is good for America,” Bush says. As a presidential candidate, he is taking his views further, favoring permanent normal trade relations with China and
admitting China and Taiwan into the World Trade Organization. He calls China a “strategic competitor,” says its economic rise is inevitable and contends that by trading freely the United States can help create expectations for democracy in that country.
Source: Kelley Shannon, AP writer LA Times
May 16, 2000
Supports congressional vote for NTR & WTO
Three weeks before a closely watched vote in Congress on trade relations with China, Governor Bush is making sure to remind Capitol Hill Republicans of his support for the bill and has not ruled out his calling undecided House Republicans. Aides said
Bush was planning to give a speech the week before the House vote, to explain anew why he feels so strongly about facilitating trade between the US and China. “I’ll speak out about it,” Bush said. Several House Republican aides said that Bush would
probably not be asked to approach individual Republicans because House members already knew where the governor stood on the issue. For months, Bush has declared his support for permanent normalized trade relations with China. He said American
farms and businesses would benefit from freer access to China’s markets, even as the causes of human rights and democracy in China would be served by more exposure to American products and ideas.
Source: Frank Bruni, New York Times, p. A21
May 5, 2000
China in WTO is good for US farm exports
BAUER [to Bush]: I will stop allowing China to play us for suckers. We’ve given them Most Favored Nation status 10 years in a row. They dump their goods here. And Iowa farmers are selling less to China now than they did 10 years ago. The time of them
playing us for suckers will end in my presidency. BUSH: I’m glad you brought it up. You’re not for China getting into the WTO. I am. And let me tell you something-the amount of corn that’ll be moved if China gets in the WTO will rise from 250,000
metric tons, to 7.2 million metric tons. Opening up Chinese markets is good for our farmers.
BAUER: Governor Bush, here’s your fallacy: You believe the Chinese government will keep their agreements. They haven’t kept their agreements for 20 years.
BUSH: That’s why we let them in the WTO. That’s part of agreement keeping.
BAUER: That just gives them another agreement to break, Governor.
Source: (cross-ref. from Bauer) Des Moines Iowa GOP Debate
Dec 13, 1999
Work with China, but as a competitor, not a partner
BAUER [to Bush]: Ronald Reagan never gave the Soviet Union most favored nation status. He always insisted on progress on human rights & national security. Our new challenge is China. They persecute their people, arrest those who practice their religion,
forcible abortions, etc. Yet you’ve embraced the policy of Clinton and Gore, you want to give them MFN status & membership in the WTO. Why not follow a Reagan policy instead of a Clintonian policy?BUSH: [I don’t] follow the policies of Clinton-Gore.
They believe in what’s called a strategic partnership. I believe in redefining the relationship to one of competitor. But competitors can find common ground. It’s in our best interests to sell to the Chinese, and to make sure that the entrepreneurial
class in China flourishes. If we make China make an enemy, they’ll end up being an enemy. If we trade with China, and trade with the entrepreneurial class, and give people a taste of freedom, I think you’ll be amazed at how soon democracy will come.
Source: (cross-ref. from Bauer) Phoenix Arizona GOP Debate
Dec 7, 1999
Cox Report: Should have done something immediately
[Bush said] the White House failed to take the Cox Report seriously and was slow to react. “I’d do something about it immediately,” he said. Bush acknowledged that the problem has been going on for years, but he doesn’t believe that gives Clinton an
excuse. “It’s unfortunate that China has been stealing secrets during Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton. But there is only one administration that has been given the news; only one administration knew, and that’s the Clinton administration.” he said.
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
China is a competitor; put allies ahead of them
The current administration calls China a “strategic partner.” China is not America’s strategic partner. China is a competitor, a competitor which does not share our values but now, unfortunately, shares many of our nuclear secrets. The US relationship
with China is complex and difficult. Today’s news [on the Cox Report] highlights the need for the President to be realistic about China and to understand the importance of putting America’s friends and allies in the Far East first.
Source: GeorgeWBush.com/News/ “Cox Report”
May 25, 1999
Admit China to WTO
I think it is to the advantage of U.S. producers and to the country to have admitted China to the World Trade Organization.
Source: New York Times, 4/19/99
Apr 19, 1999