China & WTO & PNTR

[Rakesh Bhandari]

Michael,
What's the potential downside from Congressional rejection? As I see it,
the US lets China into the WTO and then demonstrates how quickly in
the name of social protection anti Chinese  public opinion can be whipped
up (all the while ignoring  how such campaigns redound upon Asian
Americans). This way China understands that the US state  can close off
its market if US capital doesn't get what it is supposed to obtain
through the WTO (service liberalization, IPRs, etc) or if China
assimilates too quickly  US dual use tech or if US capital loses WTO
hearings it would like to win. That is, the US uses and absues global
institutions towards its hegemonic ends. The US doesn't fear WTO sanctions
against such unilateral actions since the WTO governing body seems to have
to rule by consensus if its authority is not to collapse  due to non
obedience by its most powerful member. 

 Yours, Rakesh