The expansion of trade has always figured prominently in President Clinton's foreign policy agenda. For instance, Clinton's economic program included the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and a new trading agreement negotiated by the member nations of GATT (the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, now renamed the World Trade Organization). Early in his administration, Clinton exhibited a tough stance against China by threatening heavy punitive tariffs on imports as a way of pressuring Beijing to halt the black-market pirating of U.S. movies, CDs, and computer software: "China has followed the Third World line in taking full advantage of Western p

Omestad, Thomas. "Jiang, Clinton, and Abe Lincoln." U.S. News & World Report (November 10, 1997): 66-67.

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An important development in U.S.-China relations was the recent state visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin. China wants to modify its image as ruthless Communists and demonstrate its willingness to become an active member in the international community. As President Clinton puts it, "Isolation of China is unworkable, counterproductive and potentially dangerous . . . That is not the world we want" (Liu and Bogert 45).

In terms of political diplomacy, Jiang's visit to the United States was a success. He and President Clinton agreed that future American presidents should meet regularly with China's chief executives. President Clinton is planning a visit to Beijing in 1998. A presidential hotline between the two leaders was established and an agreement was reached for the two nations to begin holding cabinet-level sessions. The alliance formed between Clinton and Jiang holds promise for reshaping of the diplomatic relationship between the United States and China.

The relationship that Jiang and Clinton want is one that reinforces the global trend toward borderless economies. Jiang's state dinner doubled as a networking session with numerous CEOs in attendance. The emphasis of Jiang's summit visit is that improved foreign relations equals increased profits for American businesses: "To drive home his point, China ordered 50 Boeing airliners--a $3 billion deal that means paychecks for perhaps 34,000 American workers" (Omestad 66). During his state visit, Jiang toured the operations at AT&T and IBM, and even rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. And unless Congress blocks it, American firms will soon be able to compete for sales of nuclear power reactors to China. Clearly, it is in the economic interest of the United States to improve its political relations with China.

"A New China Policy." New Republic (November 10, 1997): 9.

American interest in China is at an all-time high. According to one activist: "Jiang's visit has had a greater motivating effect than anything I've seen in 10 years" (Liu and Bogert 45). Films like "Seven Years in Tibet" and "Red Corner" (strategically timed to premiere during Jiang's state visit to the White House) have raised the awareness of the American public to China's oppressive policies. The supporters of the Dalai Lama have been instrumental in raising the public's consciousness as well. Absent other clear cut international targets for social movements, the American public has chosen China: "Jiang may not realize how China has become the new bogeyman for many people, now that the Soviet Un

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