(Letter from Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) to President Clinton)

United States Senate

WASHINGTON, DC 20510

July 27, 2000

President William J. Clinton

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As the Senate nears consideration of legislation extending permanent normal trade relations to the People's Republic of China (PRC), we are writing to express concern that Beijing may be planning to take actions that would have the effect of blocking Taiwan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). According to press reports, the PRC recently offered a proposal at the WTO calling for that organization to recognize the PRC's position that Taiwan is part of the mainland. Taiwan is the United States' eighth largest trading partner, and we support its admission to the WTO as soon as it meets the criteria for membership.

On several occasions, Administration officials have indicated that Taiwan's accession to the WTO would closely follow the PRC's. For example, in February, U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky testified to the House of Representatives that "…the only issue with respect to Taiwan's [WTO] accession. . .pertains to timing. . .there is a tacit understanding. . .among WTO members in general -- but also, frankly, between China and Taiwan-- that China would enter first and China would not block in any way Taiwan's accession thereafter, and that might be immediately thereafter or within days or hours or seconds or weeks. . ." Later that same month, in response to a statement by Sen. Roth that "there's a great deal of concern that Taiwan might be blocked [from entering the WTO] once China secures such membership," Ambassador Barshefsky testified that". . .the United States would do everything in our power to ensure that that does not happen in any respect because Taiwan's entry is also critical."

We respectfully request that you clarify whether your Administration continues to believe that Taiwan's entry to the WTO is critical, whether you remain committed to that goal, and whether you remain convinced that Taiwan will enter the WTO within days after the PRC's accession. Furthermore, is the Administration aware of any efforts by the PRC to impose extraordinary terms and conditions on Taiwan's accession to the WTO? What specific assurances has Beijing provided regarding the timing and substance of Taiwan's accession to the WTO? And what steps has your Administration taken to ensure that Taiwan will in fact join the WTO immediately following the PRC's accession?

We would appreciate a response to this inquiry by August 18, in order to consider its contents prior to Senate debate on extending permanent normal trade relations to the PRC.

Sincerely,

Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Larry Craig (R-ID), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Don Nickles (R-OK), Trent Lott (R-MS), Bob Smith (R-NH), Frank Murkowski (R-AK), Conrad Burns (R-MT), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Wayne Allard (R-CO), James Inhofe (R-OK), Mike DeWine (R-OH), Fred Thompson (R-TN), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Slade Gorton (R-WA), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Jesse Helms (R-NC), Connie Mack (R-FL), Tim Hutchinson (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Strom Thurmond (R-SC), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Spencer Abraham (R-MI), Craig Thomas (R-WY), Robert Bennett (R-UT), Phil Gramm (R-TX), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dick Lugar (R-IN)