LETTERS: LINKS TO CHINA IMPORTANT FOR TRADE

To the editor:

Upon President Clinton's return from a historic visit to China, debate about renewal of China's Most Favored Nation status, or now more appropriately called Normal Trade Relations, is bound to heat up. As this debate begins to brew, Farmland Industries Inc. urged the public and Congress to consider the importance of open trade relations with China for agriculture and for the United States. And let's remember the most effective way we can promote our values of democracy and free enterprise is through engagement, no isolation.

Before the president's visit, many of us had a broad and somewhat vague image of China filled with outdated and inaccurate stereotypes. These stereotypes simply aren't true. China is currently our sixth-largest trading partner and will continue to be one of the fastest growing markets for agricultural products and other goods and services in the next century. It's time to reject these stereotypes and increase our understanding of China so we can lead Congress to renewing MFN-NTR status this year in the following years.

Building relationships with China is an increasingly important responsibility for Farmland and U.S. agricultural producers. In the 1996 Farm Bill, Congress replaced domestic subsidy programs with a commitment to build trade relations around the globe. China, as home to one of every four people in the world, is a most logical choice for expanding our food and agricultural markets. Combine its market potential with the present tight U.S. agriculture economy, and the case for continuing Normal Trade Relations status becomes clear.

But many issues in China, such as human rights and personal freedom, still cloud the picture during this MFN-NTR renewal discussion. Just as the president discussed these issues with sincerity on national television in China, Farmland realizes many of the changes we would like to see in China will happen only if we reach out and work with the Chinese people. For nearly a quarter of a century, U.S. trade and the opening of the Chinese market has contributed to progress on trade, economic freedom, security and human rights. If we turn our backs and rescind MFN-NTR, then what chance do we have to make progress in these areas.

For U.S. agricultural producers, the choice could not be any more clear: Normal trade relations with China are essential for our continued viability and success. China holds great promise for agricultural markets. By being a reliable, consistent and competitive supplier to China and other markets around the glove, U.S. agricultural producers will no longer be viewed -- as we are now -- as a last-resort supplier of agricultural commodities.

If we look over the past 20 years and especially at this summer in China, it paints the picture of the importance of China to the United States. However, Farmland and U.S. agricultural producers have a considerable amount of work to complete before the full potential is realized. We need China to open its farm markets and eliminate protectionist food-safety barriers when it joins the World Trade Organization. Obviously, this can happen only if we are still talking and if Congress renews NTR.We all need to make a commitment to work with Congress and the American public to see that trade opportunities in China and throughout the world continue to emerge. This will help ensure our future competitiveness and strength in agriculture.

Normal trade relations are in the Chinese people's and our best interests. The time has come for us to open the lines of trade and communications and renew MFN-NTR with China this year and work for permanent MFN-NTR status for China as soon as possible.

H.D. "HARRY" CLEBERG, President and CEOFarmland Industries Inc.

Kansas City