Jesse Helms on Free Trade

China
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Jesse Helms on China

China: progress on religious freedom BEFORE allowing PNTR

I am pleased to support the amendment by Senator Wellstone, which simply directs the president to certify that China has met a series of religious freedom conditions prior to granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. What this amendment really does is tell China, and tells the rest of the world, that we Americans still stand for something. Something other than profits, that is. And in this case, what we are saying is that we don’t believe that China should be welcomed into international organizations such as the WTO while they continue to repress, jail, murder and torture their own citizens, simply for exercising their faith.

Crimes against religious believers in China abound. In the past couple of years, China has intensified its so-called patriotic re-education campaign aimed at destroying Tibetan culture and religion. Similar horror stories are taking place in the Muslim northwest. We must insist that progress on religious freedom precede China’s entry into the WTO.

Source: Statement to the Congress Sep 7, 2000

Voted NO on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam.

Vote to grant annual normal trade relations status to Vietnam. The resolution would allow Vietnamese imports to receive the same tariffs as those of other U.S. trading partners. Bill HJRES51 ; vote number 2001-291 on Oct 3, 2001

Voted NO on removing common goods from national security export rules.

Vote to provide the president the authority to control the export of sensitive dual-use items for national security purposes. The bill would eliminate restrictions on the export of technology that is readily available in foreign markets. Bill S149 ; vote number 2001-275 on Sep 6, 2001

Voted NO on permanent normal trade relations with China.

Vote to give permanent Normal Trade Relations [NTR] status to China. Currently, NTR status for China is debated and voted on annually. Bill HR.4444 ; vote number 2000-251 on Sep 19, 2000

Voted NO on expanding trade to the third world.

Vote to expand trade with more than 70 countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. The countries would be required to meet certain eligibility requirements in protecting freedoms of expression and associatio Bill HR.434 ; vote number 2000-98 on May 11, 2000

Voted NO on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority.

Vote to proceed to the bill which establishes negotiating objectives for trade agreements, and renews 'fast track' trade authority for the President, which allows Congress to adopt or to reject a proposed trade agreement, but not to amend it. Bill S 1269 ; vote number 1997-294 on Nov 5, 1997

Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market.

Resolution supporting sanctions on Japanese products if car parts markets don't open up; and seeking sharp reductions in the trade imbalances in car sales and parts through elimination of restrictive Japanese market-closing practices. Bill S Res 118 ; vote number 1995-158 on May 9, 1995

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