Since 1980, the United States has granted “Most Favored Nation” trading status to China on the condition that they improve their record on human rights as well as play fair regarding international commerce. Despite not living up to those conditions, every president since has granted a waiver maintaining the status for another year, sometimes against the advice of Congress. Presidents Bush and Clinton both supported normalized trade relations with China. “Will we do more to advance the cause of human rights if China is isolated?” Clinton asked in 1994, suggesting that opening trade would encourage more liberalization and freedom in
