ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the US-China case in detail by applying competing theoretical paradigms in order to discern more thoroughly the motives for the 1994 U. S. decision. It was in the U. S. interest to grant most-favored-nation status to China without attaching human rights conditions—conditions that were viewed by proponents of unconditional trade to impede the process of trade liberalization and diplomatic relations between the two countries. Human rights considerations became increasingly subordinated to concerns for U. S. economic expansion in the Asian region. There were international macroeconomic conditions that influenced the U. S. national interest in forming closer economic ties with China. There was also evidence for delinkage beyond the U. S. corporate influence. There were some shortcomings to the claim that corporate influence was the principle motive for the 1994 decision. U. S. national interests exhibited a strong positive influence on the policy of 1994.
