Beijing's Best Friend

Exactly three years after army tanks crushed the pro-democracy movement in Beijing, George Bush notified Congress that he is again granting China most- favored-nation status, which provides the lowest possible tariff rates. The measure also helps China to a $12.7 billion surplus in trade with the U.S. "It is wrong to isolate China," Bush argued, "if we hope to influence China."

Even Bush did not pretend his policy of engagement with Beijing's communist autocrats had influenced them much. His statement found improvements in China's treatment of dissidents "insufficient" and said its policies overall leave the U.S. "deeply disappointed." As if to prove Washington's point, police arrested a lone demonstrator in Tiananmen Square last week and beat foreign journalists who were watching. Also marking the anniversary, Amnesty International reported that thousands of political prisoners are still in jail in China. Says the organization: "Unfair trial, torture, long-term detention without charge or trial and summary executions continue."

In Washington, Democrats in Congress introduced a bill that would permit renewal of most-favored-nation status for China only if it dramatically improves its respect for human rights, stops selling nuclear and missile technology abroad, halts unfair trade practices and gives up its pattern of copyright violations. Democratic leaders fully expect the bill to pass, but Bush is just as likely to veto it. As in past showdowns over China, Congress will probably lack the votes to override the President.