Beyond MFN: trade with China and American interests

Abstract

By the year 2010, experts say, China may be the world's largest economy, with a prosperous middle class conducting business throughout East Asia and the world. Beyond MFN explores America's increasingly important relationship with the world's most populous country and fastest-growing economy. Looking beyond the annual debate on MFN, this book examines the complex economic, strategic, and ideological issues confronting U.S. policy makers in this critical bilateral relationship. The recent history of Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan indicates that political pluralism and the rule of law follow the development of a market economy open to the West. How can the United States best encourage such trends in China? The volume also explores the views of the Chinese people themselves, the changing human rights policies of the Chinese government, the political implications of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, and the internal deliberations within the Clinton administration on China policy. From these diverse perspectives emerges comprehensive understanding as to how a policy of broad-based engagement can best serve American interests as well as the aspirations of the Chinese people.