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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2000 CONTACT: David Willett  202-675-6698 SIERRA CLUB PLEDGES TO CONTINUE FIGHT FOR GLOBAL FAIRNESS AS HOUSE PASSES CHINA TRADE BILL Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director Washington, DC: Citing serious environmental concerns, the Sierra Club today expressed disappointment that the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status with China, but vowed to continue the fight for global fairness. The following is a statement from Carl Pope, the Sierra Club's Executive Director: "This trade agreement fails to protect workers, their families and the environment. By accepting permanent normal trade relations, Congress has relinquished what little leverage it had to ensure that values such as environmental protection and human rights are part of our relationship with China." "By accepting permanent normal trade relations, Congress has made it more difficult to protect the environment and human rights. Congress and the Clinton Administration must do more to ensure global trade is clean, green, and fair." "Today's vote in the U.S. House of Representatives was much closer than the pundits predicted, and we thank the many courageous legislators who voted for principle over profit." "This vote does not end the fight for global fairness. In fact, the coalition of environmental, labor and consumer groups has emerged from this fight stronger than ever with broader backing that now includes human rights groups, small business, faith-based organizations, and veterans organizations." The Sierra Club opposed PNTR for three reasons. Retaining annual review would: * give the United States influence with China over the issue of reforms to make the World Trade Organization more open and transparent, which China has said it would oppose; * provide leverage to protect the human rights of environmentalists in China; and * provide leverage to ensure China's compliance with international environmental agreements, such as those protecting endangered species. ### Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club