Highlights from Remarks Prepared for Delivery By U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans To the U.S.-China Business Council
Thursday, June 6, 2002 Washington, D.C.

"After nearly 20 years of reform, the question now facing China's leaders is: how to get all the people to go along with the reforms that are needed for the next 20 years? How do you turn these reforms into permanent habits?

"In large part, it's up to the Chinese. Many of the pieces are in place: WTO membership is in effect; privatization and structural reforms are progressing, as are rule-of-law reforms. But the leaders have to decide they want to stay on track."

"I hope China keeps reforming its economy and they accept international norms regarding human and political rights. They now have economic rights. It's time they took the next step. I'm optimistic they will."

"China's joining the WTO is clearly the most significant market-opening initiative since NAFTA and the Uruguay Round of trade talks."

"It's been eight long years since the old (trade promotion authority) law expired. It's high time Congress got on the stick and passed this legislation. And unless we get it soon, our exporters won't be in a position to compete as effectively in China and around the world, where many trade negotiations are stalled because Congress hasn't sent TPA to the President's desk.

"The President and I have urged lawmakers to quickly hammer out a compromise that he can sign. And I hope it gets done by the July 4th recess. In fact, wouldn't it be a powerful message of freedom and confidence to the world if the President could sign the legislation on July 4th, Independence Day?"