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n November 1999, the U.S. and China agreed on the terms for China's entry into the World Trade Organization. The agreement opened the People's Republic of China to the importation of U.S. goods without restrictive tariffs and the exportation of Chinese goods to U.S. markets. Under the new accord, U.S. farmers will face lower agricultural tariffs, almost guaranteeing an increase in horticultural shipments to China. According to the U.S. Dept. of Census, horticultural exports to China have nearly doubled from 1999 to 2000.
      Business leaders in both the U.S. and Europe have eyed China, a land of 1.3 billion inhabitants, as an exceptional potential market for products and services. With the signing of new trade agreements, the Pacific Region of the U.S. holds the prospect of a prime shipping spot for goods to and from Asia.
      In early October of 2001, Boeing announced it had received an order for 30 of its 737 airliners to China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Corp. The deal is valued at US$1.6 billion and demonstrates the growing importance of U.S. trade with the Chinese market.
      "Today's announcement reflects an expansion in bilateral trade between China and the U.S., and it underscores the strength of Sino-U.S. relations," said Zhang Guobao, who led the Chinese delegation at the agreement signing. Boeing's Redlands plant manufactures the 737, and company officials expect to deliver the aircrafts between 2002 and 2005. Boeing officials are forecasting over the next 20 years, China will require 1,764 new airplanes valued at $144 billion. The market would represent the second-largest market for aircraft next to the United States.