Statement by Commerce Secretary Don Evans on China's Entry Into the World Trade Organization

Washington, DC - I congratulate China today on becoming the143rd member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Their accession to the WTO will open China=s market to American exports of industrial goods, services, and agriculture to an unprecedented degree, and strengthen the world economy.

For the first time, American firms have unprecedented freedom to trade in China by buying and selling their own products there.

The average Chinese tariff on most industrial products will be reduced from the 1997 average of 25 percent to 8 percent by January 2004, making it easier to get American goods in the hands of Chinese consumers.

China has joined the WTO at a historic moment and we look forward to their full participation in future WTO work.