TNAG-2750-FCO40-3965-Most-favoured-nation-status-for-China-Hong-Kong-interests-1993 — Page 289

2 February 1993

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Christopher Meyer Esq CMG

WASHINGTON

dear Cvilopha

CHINA/MFN

REL

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Mis call

10 FEB 1993

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Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

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London SW1A 2AH

Mr Hyland, Plix copy

Mr MWO/R

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Mr Davies FED My Lane, Econ Adv.μ

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Dray

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@PA.

Lotter

Copying as necessary

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Thank you for your letter of 28 December 1992.

Your reports, and Christopher Hum's recent visit, have been very useful in helping us gauge how the debate on MFN is moving. My impression is that the desire among the majority in Congress to use MFN as a lever against China is as strong as ever, and that they do not intend to allow the new Administration to back away from commitments made during the Presidential election campaign. However, the remarks made by Congresswoman Pelosi, as well as those of Senators McConnell and Simon, as reported in your telno 130 suggest that even critics of the Bush policy do not want to force the President into confronting China on this issue in 1993, and that they are willing to give him an opportunity to achieve results through bilateral negotiations with China first. If the President wants to avoid legislation on MFN, he may be attracted to Pelosi's suggestion of renewing MFN in 1993, with conditions attached for further renewal in 1994.

mfn.ADMIN

JEB

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