Vice President Al Gore has privately assured organized labor that as president he would seek additional environmental and labor concessions before moving ahead on a trade deal with China, if President Clinton loses his fight this year for a China deal, according to AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. Gore campaign spokesperson Chris Lehane affirmed that Gore wants enviro and labor concerns incorporated into trade deals, not just addressed in side agreements. Gore’s promises are encouraging the AFL-CIO to fight the China trade deal harder this year, even as Clinton is lobbying Democrats for their support. China is expected to join the World Trade Organization this year, but under an agreement between the U.S. and China, China can refuse U.S. companies the benefits of market-opening measures if the U.S. does not grant it permanent normal trade relations. A vote on the issue is expected this summer.
