personal crusade by a senior Republican staffer on the foreign affairs committee, Mr Bill Triplet (and an assistant of Senator Helms). American legislation banning the import of prison-made goods is the Smoot-Hawley Act, on the grounds that it represents unfair competition to American workers. One important aspect is the diligence with which Mr Triplet campaigns which makes it likely that he could continue his campaign even if the specific problem is resolved.
12 An illustration of the political significance of this was that as a result of the concern generated by the Triplet campaign the US were able to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese on this issue. The key points agreed were that:
- no prison-made goods would be exported to the USA
the US would thave the right of inspection of prisons in case of any complaints.
Clinton Administration's approach
13
The position of the new administration appears contradictory:
on the one hand the (moderate) Bush administration's stance towards China is increasingly being endorsed, But the confrontational rhetoric appears likely to increase.
14 Another interesting aspect is the choice of the new Assistant Secretary for Asia, Winston Lord, who, as the member of the new State Department team with most experience of China team would presumably have a major policy formation role. Mr Lord seems a confrontational choice for the Chinese, but not from the domestic American view point. Mr Lord, a Republican, was the Ambassador to Peking under Reagan and Bush until 1989, but left in protest at the Bush policy adopted in the wake of Tiananmen, which he continued to criticise after leaving office. He apparently openly associated with dissidents and was accused by the Chinese of precipitating the 1989 troubles. Unsurprisingly the Peking political establishment is reported to be unenthusiastic about him. An outstanding question is who is going to fill the other key role in the new administration's China team, the "private dove" role (undertaken in the Bush administration by Scowcroft).
Conclusions
15 Quite where this will lead will be interesting to follow. But it does appear likely that a constructive and more moderate policy will have to be pursued by Congress. For example, an alternative is needed to full withdrawal of MFN status since full withdrawal no longer appears a realistic option and Congress will no longer be able to rely on an automatic Presidential veto of their hardline policy towards China.
ROBIN IMPEY
Rez
Condihonal
/renewal
Beemo the
most likely alternative.