John Kerry's position on

One China Policy: It is the policy for each political entity to recognize that Taiwan is a part of China, and the People's Republic China is the official presence for China.

China's MFN Status: The U.S. extends most-favored-nation trading status to China and it has been renewed every year. http://www.wcit.org/resources/publications/

Taiwan Relations Act: On March 29, 1979, the U.S. Congress enacted the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which has served as the basis of the new relationship between the ROC and the U.S. The U.S. government has for many years continued to provide Taiwan with sufficient defensive weapons in accordance with the TRA so as to preserve security and stability in the Western Pacific region. It helps the U.S. to have relationships with Taiwan and protect Taiwan's interests under one China policy. link

Description of candidate's position: Kerry is opposed to having the relationship with China under unfair trade practice and China's violations of international trade laws. He supports the trade laws and agreements which open markets abroad and defend American interests in the global economy. He still cares about China's human rights standard and will be committed to a "One China" policy. Also, he commits to providing Taiwan defensive weapons and supports a peaceful resolution of cross-straits issues.

Quotation from the candidate for MFN: "George Bush has taken America in the wrong direction, moving from too little, too late on China to doing nothing at all. I will take America in the right direction by enforcing our trade agreements, ending China's illegal currency manipulation, cutting our budget deficit, and restoring America's technological edge." (September 10, 2004) link

Assessment of the proposal:

Positive: Senator Sam Brownback said, "The Taiwan Relations Act served our interests well during the Cold War. It has endured the many changes in Taiwan and China since that time and remains the foundation for U.S. policy. Many things have changed, but as long as the preservation of democracy is our goal, the United States and Taiwan need the Taiwan Relations Act to preserve space for Taiwan's democracy to thrive into the future." Taiwan Relations Act: Twenty-fifth Anniversary Symposium, March 31 2004

"Under President Bush, America has become a Punching Bag: The US has been the target of almost one-third of all WTO cases filed since January 2001." "After finding scores of Chinese WTO rule violations in 2001, 2002, and again in 2003, the Administration waited until March 2004 to file its first case against China." link

Negative: Feedstuffs said, "Extension of MFN status for China is in best interest of U.S. The approval of the continuation of the most-favored-nation (MFN) trading clause for China may hold several benefits to the agricultural industry. China is considered to be a significant market, receiving exports from the US amounting to about $3.6 billion. In addition, China presents significant potential in terms of food and fiber sales. This potential must not be affected by accusations that China has given illegal political contributions and that it employed classified US technology for missile development."

Comparison: Both of them support "one China" policy and TRA, but they have different views about the trade relationship with China. Kerry thinks that Bush has yielded too much to China, but Bush thinks it can increase the interests of both countries. Also, Bush thinks Kerry flip-flopped on trade with China. Bush's website lists Kerry's flip flops: In 1991, Kerry supported most-favored trade status for China, and in 2000, Kerry voted in favor of permanent normal trade relations with China.

Link to Bush's issue brief