U.S. Likely Won’t Impose Sanctions On China

The United States probably won’t impose sanctions on China for selling Pakistan sensitive nuclear-related materials despite legislation that views such transactions as a punishable offense, a State Department official said Wednesday.

The official said President Clinton is expected to waive the sanctions, which he is authorized to do if he concludes that punitive action would not be in the national interest.

If the legislation were applied, U.S. business deals in China worth nearly $10 billion would be affected, according to the official.