Will the Spy Plane Standoff Hurt U.S.-China Trade?
NE W Y O R K, April 6 -- The tense spy plane standoff between the United States and China may be a diplomatic problem, but an economic question is looming on the horizon: Will the episode hurt the two countries' burgeoning trade ties?
At issue is the status of formal trade relations between the United States and China, and the potentially huge revenues U.S. companies envision when they picture themselves marketing their wares to China's 1.2 billion-plus population.
Last year, the United States sold $16 billion worth of goods and services to China, making it America's fourth-largest trading partner. U.S. exports were at a negligible level when the countries resumed diplomatic relations in 1979.
But the benefits of the relationship go in two directions: U.S. consumers and companies bought $107 billion in imports from China last year, ranking second among all the countries with which China trades.
Congress Considers PNTR — Again
After a contentious debate and a hard push from President Clinton last year, Congress approved the Permanent Normal Trade Relations agreement, or PNTR, which is intended to give the two countries greater access to the other's markets. Opponents of the pact argued that China does not merit such trade status because of human-rights abuses.
In a move that would have similar consequences, China is also attempting to join the Geneva-based World Trade Organization, a process that involves negotiations with U.S. trade representatives.
But with 24 U.S. Navy airmen and women still being held by the Chinese government on Hainan Island after their surveillance aircraft collided with a Chinese fighter jet on Sunday, some members of Congress are implying the United States should get tough with China.
"Failure to resolve this quickly could cause very severe damage in the relationship between China and the United States," Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., said Thursday, speaking of possible long-term trade sanctions.
'The Jury Is Still Out'
But policy analysts and observers of Sino-American relations warn against overstating the dangers of the current situation, and say trade relations should be smoothed over fairly quickly if the diplomatic standoff is resolved.
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