FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2000

Contact:
Pete Kasperowicz
Eric Thomas
202/822-9491

USA*ENGAGE Urges Senate to Oppose China Nonproliferation Act

Washington, D.C. – In a letter sent to all senators today, USA*ENGAGE called on members to oppose the "China Nonproliferation Act," sponsored by Senators Fred Thompson (R-TN) and Robert Torricelli (D-NJ). Frank Kittredge, Vice Chairman of USA*ENGAGE and President of the National Foreign Trade Council, warned that by mandating unilateral sanctions against China, the bill does not serve the U.S. national interest.

"Unilateral sanctions are almost always ineffective," Kittredge said. "The bill is particularly flawed because targeting China will only jeopardize current Chinese cooperation with multilateral non-proliferation efforts. In addition, the bill would impose export restrictions on U.S. companies, which would seem to punish U.S. businesses more than they would punish China. USA*ENGAGE stands firmly opposed to this legislation."

The letter highlighted several reasons to oppose the bill:

• The bill is unnecessary because the President already has authority to take action in response to unwanted transfers of weapons technology
• This legislation threatens to cut off export financing and agricultural export credits, as well as deny export licenses for most U.S.-origin technology. These measures would essentially negate many of the benefits the U.S. won in the U.S.-China market access agreement that was completed in November, 1999.
• The bill would require an annual vote in Congress to decide whether to impose unilateral sanctions against China, which would eliminate a major feature of extending Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to China.
• Congress has not had the opportunity to review the legislation in hearings or committee review.

The full text of the letter is available on the USA*ENGAGE website: www.usaengage.org.

USA*ENGAGE is a coalition of 670 small and large businesses, agriculture groups and trade associations working to seek alternatives to the proliferation of unilateral U.S. foreign policy sanctions and to promote the benefits of U.S. engagement abroad. For more information on USA*ENGAGE and the harmful effects of unilateral trade sanctions, visit the USA*ENGAGE web site at www.usaengage.org.

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