Clinton Policy on Trade With China

President Clinton renewed the most-favored-nation trade status for China, as expected (May 27). I think he did make the right decision. Americans always say “business is business.” Tying MFN to human rights was wrong. According to American standards, there are a lot of things happening in the world that are not up to our level. But there are a lot of things happening here that are not up to other countries’ levels, such as the crime rate and our wastefulness.

Never mind about the inconsistency between candidate Clinton and President Clinton. History will only judge on what the President did, not what the candidate said.

ERIC CHENG

Hacienda Heights

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In response to “Clinton Caves In on Trade vs. Human Rights,” news analysis, May 27:

Why is it that when Clinton’s noble ideals founder because of harsh geopolitical realities over which he has no control reporters attack him for “caving in,” whereas when George Bush and Ronald Reagan promoted their visionless, opportunistic policies without the least concern for human rights the press lauded them as “pragmatic”? Could The Times be using some sort of double standard to judge American presidents? Naaah.

J. G. BERINSTEIN

Northridge

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Regarding MFN status for China: Criticize President Clinton all you want, renewing these trade privileges was the correct thing to do. He made the mistake to tie these benefits to human rights issues and that’s all he did wrong. Clinton had the guts to change his mind and not let pride stand in his way. This renewal is in the best interest of both countries. Through economic strategies we can achieve our human rights goals, not by threats against a major political and economic country. The future of the Pacific Rim as well as the world is linked to strong relationships between these two superpowers.

PHILIP R. RIEGEL

Moreno Valley

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It comes as no surprise that President Clinton uncoupled human rights from trade with China. After all, we have been doing business with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and dozens of other countries with equal or worse human rights than China.

Get real. Business is business.

Now let us see if the new Clinton foreign policy will finally end the embargo of Cuba. The embargo imposed 30 years ago during the Cold War is obsolete and is no longer being respected by practically every country in the world.

Yet the United States seems hellbent on continuing to starve the men, women and children of Cuba. It is heartless and mean-spirited. Now, in the light of the new China policy, it is also hypocritical. Certainly the time has come to end the embargo on Cuba.

IRVING ZEIGER

Los Angeles

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Why doesn’t the rest of the world listen when we preach about human rights? When we were young and ambitious (much like China today, economically), we grew by enslaving blacks and slaughtering Native Americans. Today, homeless roam our streets. Violent crime and drugs threaten us all. We glorify guns. Many of our poor lead hopeless lives. Listen up, world! Can’t you see we’re the experts?

RAUER L. MEYER

Los Angeles