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Clinton to propose U.S.-China trade bill
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March 4, 2000: 6:37 p.m. ET
Aims to permanently normalize trade relations with communist country
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PALO ALTO, Calif. (CNN) - - Amid signs that the Clinton administration's trade deal with China may be losing support in Congress, President Clinton plans to send lawmakers a bill next week that would permanently normalize trade relations with the communist country, an administration official said Saturday.
Jake Siewert, White House Deputy Press Secretary, said the administration believes that the sooner the Congress votes on the legislation, the better its likelihood of passage.
China's recent threats against Taiwan -- if Taiwan does not begin reunification talks -- have prompted some U.S. lawmakers to question making a trade deal with China.
A vote in favor of permanent trade relations with China would pave the way for Beijing's entry into the World Trade Organization.
Siewert said he did not know what day next week the administration would send the bill to Congress. He said the administration is consulting with the Senate and the House of Representatives, but will let lawmakers decide how to proceed.
"We will not determine the timing of the vote," said Siewert.
The Senate may take it up first, since support for permanent trade relations with China is stronger in the Senate than in the House.
Clinton will deliver a "broad" speech about the national-security implications of China's entry into the WTO on Wednesday, Siewert said. Last week, the president traveled to a high-tech business in the Washington, D.C. area to make the case that opening China's markets would benefit U.S. industries.
Clinton has met with groups of lawmakers, and plans to meet with one or two such groups next week, to build support for the China trade deal, Siewert said.
The administration also hopes a visit to China sways some members. In April, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and Commerce Secretary William Daley are planning to take several undecided lawmakers to Beijing to convince them to support China's entry into the WTO. 
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