Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) has introduced legislation that would strip Beijing of its trade privileges with the United States, a measure meant to punish the communist regime for its “heinous human rights atrocities.” The bill, H.R. 7193, introduced on March 22 would remove China’s permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status, and “relink” Beijing’s trade status with the human rights situation in China, according to a statement from Smith’s office. It would require annual affirmation from the U.S. president that Beijing is making marked progress in the improvement of its human rights record to achieve normal trade status. In pushing this measure, Smith, a longtime critic of China’s abuses, hopes to send a strong message that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) cannot continue its myriad human rights violations, including its well-documented campaign of repression against the Uyghur minority of western China, with impunity. Joining Smith in sponsoring the legislation are Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) …