China Trade Relations Act of 2023

HR 638, the China Trade Relations Act of 2023, withdraws automatic duty-free trade access (normal trade relations) for Chinese goods and requires the President to submit annual reports to Congress proving China complies with specific human rights and trade standards. The bill lists nine conditions China must meet to regain trade benefits, including ending forced labor, respecting religious freedom in Tibet, stopping economic espionage, and improving prison treatment. If China fails to meet these conditions, U.S. trade benefits, government credit programs, and commercial agreements with China would be suspended until the President certifies compliance. The President may grant limited 12-month waivers with congressional oversight, but these require annual re-certification and can be blocked by a joint resolution of disapproval. This bill directly affects U.S.-China trade relations, imposing new compliance requirements on China to maintain access to U.S. markets.