BERNARD SHAW, CNN ANCHOR: President Bill Clinton Tuesday said it would be "very, very unwise" for the U.S. Congress to deny China permanent normal trading status. Senior White House correspondent John King reports.</s>JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The administration's warning opened an aggressive three-week White House push aimed at getting Congress to approve permanent trade relations with China.</s>SAMUEL BERGER, U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Our future is tied to Asia, and the stability of Asia -- economically, politically, militarily -- is inextricably intertwined with the stability and direction of China.</s>KING: The House votes in three weeks, and the White House is more and more confident of victory.</s>JOE LOCKHART, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We still have a lot of work to do and we're not there yet.</s>KING: Granting Beijing permanent trade status is necessary for the United States to benefit from China's entry into the World Trade Organization. Mr. Clinton is meeting with small groups of undecided lawmakers as the vote draws near, and twice Tuesday made public appeals for support.</s>WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: From a national security point of view, it would, in my view, be a very, very unwise and precarious move to say that the United States doesn't care whether they're a part of the world community or not.</s>KING: Mr. Clinton says it would be a giant boost for the U.S. economy, but he faces stiff opposition. Labor unions say they oppose the deal because China abuses its workers. And many conservatives argue China should not be rewarded until it demonstrates a commitment to democracy and religious freedom. (on camera): But a potential compromise is gaining momentum: key congressional leaders are warming to the idea of creating a watchdog commission to study human rights in China, a new wrinkle that would boost the odds of passing the landmark trade legislation. John King, CNN, Washington.
President Clinton Urging Passage of China Trade Legislation