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Mitt Romney on Free Trade

Former Republican Governor (MA)


Re-negotiate trade deals with China and other countries

China that manipulate their currency to put their products in advantage over ours. We want to make sure that we do not have a circumstance where people close down their markets to our goods because we can compete anywhere in the world. One out of three agricultural acres is planted to go off-shore, so don’t put up barriers to keep us from being able to trade. The US can compete anywhere in the world, and to remain a superpower, we must compete around the world.
Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Republican Debate Dec 12, 2007

Open up markets to American goods and services

Q: Are you a Bush Republican on trade?

A: Well, I believe in trade, but I believe in opening up markets to American goods and services. And it’s been calculated that the average family in America is $9,000 a year richer because we have the ability to sell products around the world, and a lot of people in this country make their living making products that go around the world. I want to make sure that the American worker gets a fair shake. We need to make sure that the Chinese begin to float their currency, and they protect our designs and our patents and our technology. We need to make sure that the American workers don’t have to carry the burden of extra taxes as we sell our products around the world. They come here without that tax embedded. We can do a better job, and I want to do a better job for the American worker.

Source: 2007 Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan Oct 9, 2007

Businesspeople should negotiate trade, not politicians

The people who negotiate these agreements, the people who sit down with the Chinese and sit down with the Mexicans and others, are people, by and large, who’ve spent their life in politics, and the politicians come together and try and understand how the economy works.

I think I’m probably the only guy on the stage who’s spent most of his career in the business world. I understand how the economy works. I understand how if you make a certain adjustment in the agreement, it’s going to have a huge impact on the United States.

And so for instance, if we agree to sit down with China, I understand that if we don’t get real careful and protect patents and designs and technology, intellectual property is going to get stolen by the Chinese. I recognize we’re going to have to have people who understand how the business world works, how the economy works, and make sure that the playing field really is level by having people that understand the economy and the business world being part of that effort.

Source: 2007 Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan Oct 9, 2007

Emergence of Asia is an opportunity for trade and commerce

To remain the economic and military superpower, America must address competing with Asia. China and Asia are on the move economically and technologically. They are a family oriented, educated, hard-working, and mercantile people. We must be ready and able to compete. If America acts boldly and swiftly, the emergence of Asia will be an opportunity. Trade and commerce with these huge new economies can further strengthen our economy and propel our growth. If America fails to act, we will be eclipsed.
Source: PAC website, www.TheCommonwealthPac.com, “Meet Mitt” Dec 1, 2006

Other candidates on Free Trade: Mitt Romney on other issues:
Nominees:
GOP: Sen.John McCain
GOP V.P.: Gov.Sarah Palin
Democrat: Sen.Barack Obama
Dem.V.P.: Sen.Joe Biden

Third Parties:
Constitution: Chuck Baldwin
Libertarian: Rep.Bob Barr
Constitution: Amb.Alan Keyes
Liberation: Gloria La Riva
Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney
Socialist: Brian Moore
Independent: Ralph Nader
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Page last updated: Feb 08, 2010