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Rick Santorum on Free Trade
Republican Jr Senator (PA); 2012 presidential frontrunner
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FactCheck: Several other candidates support EXIM Bank too
Santorum said, "I'm a supporter of the EXIM bank. Everybody else in the entire field is opposed to it." Is that true? Santorum refers to the Export-Import Bank, a federal agency which fosters export financing. Oppose EXIM Bank:- Ted Cruz (R-TX),
8/2015: EXIM Bank is corporate welfare
- Rand Paul (R-KY), 3/2012: EXIM Banks subsidizes multinationals
- Bernie Sanders (D-VT), 6/2015: EXIM Bank is corporate welfare to multinationals
- Donald Trump (R-NY), 8/2015, EXIM Bank is feather-bedding for
politicians
- Carly Fiorina (R-CA), 7/2014, EXIM Bank is marriage between big government & big business
Support EXIM Bank:- Jeb Bush (R-FL), 9/2007: Secured $74M EXIM bank loan for exports to Nigeria
- Hillary Clinton (D-NY), 11/2014, EXIM
Bank is tool for competitive exporting
- Martin O`Malley (D-MD), 7/2014: Reauthorize EXIM Bank
- Lindsey Graham (R-SC), 7/2015, Voted for renewing charter of the EXIM Bank
Conclusion: Santorum is wrong no matter which party or group you look at.
Source: OnTheIssues FactCheck on 2015 Fox Business/WSJ GOP debate
, Nov 11, 2015
Export financing to level playing field for US manufacturers
I'm one of the few people up here who actually believes that we need a level playing field when it comes to manufacturing. That means a good tax code, a good regulatory environment, low energy prices, better opportunities for workers to get training,
and, also, I'm a supporter of the EXIM bank. Everybody else on this stage, everybody else, I think, in the entire field, is opposed to it.How can you come out and say "I'm for manufacturing" when a majority of Republican congressmen and senators
supported the EXIM bank because it means jobs for American workers here in America. The fact is that we've seen already G.E. lose jobs here in America, and just move those jobs to France and Hungary. We have a right as a country to compete with other
countries that have export financing. Every major manufacturer, 60 countries, competes against America, wants to take our jobs, and we have every Republican candidate tying one hand behind our back and saying "go out and compete."
Source: 2015 Fox Business/WSJ Second Tier GOP debate
, Nov 10, 2015
Tariffs only hurt working men and women
We shouldn't be putting tariffs on anything. That hurts working men and women. What we should do is making our manufacturing more competitive. One of the reasons I introduced the
20/20 plan, a 20 percent flat tax on corporations, as well as on individuals, is so we can be competitive, so we can bring those manufacturing jobs back. We need to take those jobs from China and bring them back here.
Source: GOP "Your Money/Your Vote" 2015 CNBC 2nd-tier debate
, Oct 28, 2015
Level the playing field by having an Ex-Im Bank like others
A true conservative wants to create a level playing field. There's 60 Ex-Im banks all over the world. Every major competitor for the United States' manufacturing dollar has one of those banks. In order to have a level playing field, we have to have
export financing and here's why. G.E. just lost a contract, you know what they did? They got the Ex-Im bank in France to support it, and they moved manufacturing to Hungary and France. GG.E. is doing well, but American workers are out of jobs. Q
Source: GOP "Your Money/Your Vote" 2015 CNBC 2nd-tier debate
, Oct 28, 2015
Think about the people that free trade effects
I am a free trader, but we have to look at the effect of free trade on the average person. Importing lower-cost goods can benefit lower-income people and the average consumer--just about everybody loves the prices at Walmart. But we need to assess
that benefit in lights of its cost. Are importers following the same rules that govern domestic manufacturers? Are existing trade laws fair and properly enforced? When we make policy, we should always think about the people it affects.
Source: Blue Collar Conservatives, by Rick Santorum, p.155
, Apr 28, 2014
I'm for making US more competitive than China
ROMNEY [on videotape]: I will label China as it is, a currency manipulator. If they cheat, there is a price to pay. I certainly don't want a trade war with anybody, and we're not going to have a trade war, but we can't have a trade surrender either.
SANTORUM: You know, I don't want to go to a trade war. I want to beat China. I want to go war with China and make America the most attractive place in the world to do business, and we need to do that with the agenda that I've outlined.
Source: 2011 GOP debate at Dartmouth College, NH
, Oct 11, 2011
1993: Voted against NAFTA because it hurt PA industries
In perhaps the most important free trade vote of the last generation, Santorum voted against NAFTA in 1993. Days before the vote, he said, "NAFTA will produce pockets of winners and losers across the country. Our area is unfortunately one of the losers."
That analysis, while arguably correct with regard to a small number of industries in Pennsylvania, ignores the fact that every single consumer in Pennsylvania benefited tremendously from NAFTA, as well as did many more affected industries.
As a member of the Senate Steel Caucus , Santorum voted for and co-sponsored a bill to slap tariffs on imported steel in 1999.
In 2005, Santorum voted in support of an amendment that would impose a massive, job-killing 27.5% tariff on all Chinese
imports if China didn't readjust their currency upward.
In 1997, Santorum sponsored a proposal that would impose a one-cent tax on imported honey with the proceeds going to the National Honey Board to aid in their research, a special interest giveaway.
Source: Club for Growth 2012 Presidential White Paper #4: Santorum
, Jun 6, 2011
Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman.
Vote on final passage of a bill to implement the United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement. Opponents of the bill say to vote NAY because: - International trade can confer tremendous benefits on all of its participants. Unfortunately, the Oman Free Trade Agreement fails to live up to that potential.
- In 2001, the US entered into a similar trade agreement with the country of Jordan. The agreement was heralded for its progressive labor standards. However, we have recently seen in Jordan instances of foreign workers forced into slave labor, stripped of their passports, denied their wages, and compelled to work for days without rest.
- These incidents have been occurring in Jordan because Jordanian labor laws preclude protections for foreign workers. My fear in Oman is that they have far weaker labor standards, and that would lend itself to even worse conditions than in Jordan.
- When our trade partners are held to different, less stringent standards, no one is better off.
When Omani firms can employ workers in substandard conditions, the Omani workers and American workers both lose. The playing field is not level.
Proponents of the bill say to vote YEA because: - The Oman Free Trade Agreement sends a very important message that the US strongly supports the economic development of moderate Middle Eastern nations. This is a vital message in the global war on terrorism.
- Since the end of WWII, the US has accepted nonreciprocal trade concessions in order to further important Cold War and post-Cold War foreign policy objectives. Examples include offering Japan and Europe nonreciprocal access to American markets during the 1950s in order to strengthen the economies of our allies and prevent the spread of communism.
- Oman is quickly running out of oil and, as a result, has launched a series of measures to reform its economy. This free-trade agreement immediately removes Oman's uniform 5% tariff on US goods.
Reference: United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement;
Bill S. 3569
; vote number 2006-190
on Jun 29, 2006
Voted YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade.
Approves the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States-Free Trade Agreement entered into on August 5, 2005, with the governments of Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (CAFTA-DR), and the statement of administrative action proposed to implement the Agreement. Voting YES would: - Progressively eliminate customs duties on all originating goods traded among the participating nations
- Preserve US duties on imports of sugar goods over a certain quota
- Remove duties on textile and apparel goods traded among participating nations
- Prohibit export subsidies for agricultural goods traded among participating nations
- Provide for cooperation among participating nations on customs laws and import licensing procedures
- Recommend that each participating nation uphold the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
- Urge each participating nation to obey various international agreements regarding intellectual property rights
Reference: Central America Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act;
Bill HR 3045
; vote number 2005-209
on Jul 28, 2005
Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore.
Vote to pass a bill that would put into effect a trade agreement between the US and Singapore. The trade agreement would reduce tariffs and trade barriers between the US and Singapore. The agreement would remove tariffs on goods and duties on textiles, and open markets for services The agreement would also establish intellectual property, environmental and labor standards.
Reference: US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act;
Bill S.1417/HR 2739
; vote number 2003-318
on Jul 31, 2003
Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile.
Vote to pass a bill that would put into effect a trade agreement between the US and Chile. The agreement would reduce tariffs and trade barriers between the US and Chile. The trade pact would decrease duties and tariffs on agricultural and textile products. It would also open markets for services. The trade pact would establish intellectual property safeguards and would call for enforcement of environmental and labor standards.
Reference: US-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act;
Bill S.1416/HR 2738
; vote number 2003-319
on Jul 31, 2003
Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations.
HR3009 Fast Track Trade Authority bill: To extend the Andean Trade Preference Act, to grant additional trade benefits under that Act, and for other purposes. Vote to pass a bill that would enlarge duty-free status to particular products from Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, renew the president's fast-track authority and reauthorize and increase a program to make accessible retraining and relocation assistance to U.S. workers hurt by trade agreements. It would also approve a five-year extension of Generalized System of Preferences and produce a refundable 70 percent tax credit for health insurance costs for displaced workers.
Reference:
Bill HR.3009
; vote number 2002-130
on May 23, 2002
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam.
Vote to grant annual normal trade relations status to Vietnam. The resolution would allow Vietnamese imports to receive the same tariffs as those of other U.S. trading partners.
Reference:
Bill HJRES51
; vote number 2001-291
on Oct 3, 2001
Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules.
Vote to provide the president the authority to control the export of sensitive dual-use items for national security purposes. The bill would eliminate restrictions on the export of technology that is readily available in foreign markets.
Reference:
Bill S149
; vote number 2001-275
on Sep 6, 2001
Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China.
Vote to give permanent Normal Trade Relations [NTR] status to China. Currently, NTR status for China is debated and voted on annually.
Reference:
Bill HR.4444
; vote number 2000-251
on Sep 19, 2000
Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world.
Vote to expand trade with more than 70 countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. The countries would be required to meet certain eligibility requirements in protecting freedoms of expression and associatio
Reference:
Bill HR.434
; vote number 2000-98
on May 11, 2000
Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority.
Vote to proceed to the bill which establishes negotiating objectives for trade agreements, and renews 'fast track' trade authority for the President, which allows Congress to adopt or to reject a proposed trade agreement, but not to amend it.
Reference:
Bill S 1269
; vote number 1997-294
on Nov 5, 1997
Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market.
Resolution supporting sanctions on Japanese products if car parts markets don't open up; and seeking sharp reductions in the trade imbalances in car sales and parts through elimination of restrictive Japanese market-closing practices.
Reference:
Bill S Res 118
; vote number 1995-158
on May 9, 1995
Rated 100% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record.
Santorum scores 100% by CATO on senior issues
The mission of the Cato Institute Center for Trade Policy Studies is to increase public understanding of the benefits of free trade and the costs of protectionism.
The Cato Trade Center focuses not only on U.S. protectionism, but also on trade barriers around the world. Cato scholars examine how the negotiation of multilateral, regional, and bilateral trade agreements can reduce trade barriers and provide institutional support for open markets. Not all trade agreements, however, lead to genuine liberalization. In this regard, Trade Center studies scrutinize whether purportedly market-opening accords actually seek to dictate marketplace results, or increase bureaucratic interference in the economy as a condition of market access.
Studies by Cato Trade Center scholars show that the United States is most effective in encouraging open markets abroad when it leads by example.
The relative openness and consequent strength of the U.S. economy already lend powerful support to the worldwide trend toward embracing open markets. Consistent adherence by the United States to free trade principles would give this trend even greater momentum. Thus, Cato scholars have found that unilateral liberalization supports rather than undermines productive trade negotiations.
Scholars at the Cato Trade Center aim at nothing less than changing the terms of the trade policy debate: away from the current mercantilist preoccupation with trade balances, and toward a recognition that open markets are their own reward.
The following ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization's preferred position.
Source: CATO website 02n-CATO on Dec 31, 2002
Page last updated: Mar 24, 2016