State of Alaska Archives: on Free Trade
Bill Walker:
Avoid an unnecessary trade war with China
Governor Bill Walker released the following statement about the recent announcement that the Chinese government plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion worth of U.S. goods:"Alaska has abundant resources, from natural gas and
seafood to beer and baby food. These resources enable our state to dramatically reduce the trade deficit between the United States and China, if we can finalize agreements to increase exports of our products.
Trade negotiations between leaders from both countries are ongoing. I am confident that we will, in the end, embrace the opportunity for mutual economic growth that we can achieve by working together. Next week,
I will meet in Washington with leaders from both governments who have been at the table leading the efforts to avoid an unnecessary trade war. I will continue to work directly with both sides to make sure Alaska's interests are protected."
Source: 2018 Alaska Governor campaign press release
Jun 18, 2018
Joe Miller:
Supports US involvement in free trade agreements
Q: Do you support the United States' involvement in free trade agreements? A: Yes.
Q: Do you support granting aid to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States?
A: Yes.
Source: Alaska Congressional Election 2010 Political Courage Test
Sep 9, 2010
Sarah Palin:
Allow wineries to ship by mail within state
Governor Sarah Palin signed into law today House Bill 34, which allows the holder of a winery license to ship up to five gallons of wine within Alaska. The new law will help small Alaska wineries compete with out-of-state wineries through mail, fax
orders, and Internet sales, provided that the shipping address is not located in an area that has prohibited importation of alcohol. Before today, Alaskans could order wine from outside Alaska, but they could not order from in-state wineries.
Source: Alaska Governor's Office: Press release 07-138, "Wineries"
Jun 5, 2008
Sarah Palin:
Exempt Alaskan cruise ships from customs rule changes
Governor Sarah Palin has asked the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to back off on a proposed rule interpretation that would harm the Alaska tourism industry. At issue is the agency's proposed interpretation of an 1886 maritime law that would
require foreign-owned cruise ships running between the US West Coast and Hawaii to spend at least 48 hours in a foreign port. The vessels would also have to spend at least half as much time in a foreign port as spent in all US ports of call.
If applied to Alaska cruises the new interpretation would force cruise lines to significantly cut back their time in Alaska ports, pulling hundreds of millions of dollars a year out of the Alaska economy.
"The proposed rule interpretation, aimed at
Hawaiian Coastwise Cruises, would be a dramatic and abrupt shift in policy," Governor Palin said in a letter to the bureau. "Taking something that is working well and changing it--much less on 30 days notice--is not reasonable public policy."
Source: Alaska Governor's Office: Press release 07-246, "Cruises"
Dec 26, 2007
Sarah Palin:
Record-high exports; growth of 12.6% since last year
Governor Sarah Palin today announced the value of Alaska's exports grew to a record-high $4 billion in 2006, a 12.6 percent increase. "Alaskans have been first-rate at international trade for decades," said Governor Palin. "I applaud the hard-working
Alaskans who help our economy at home, and other economies around the world, through trade." Alaska's 10-year trend toward diversification of international seafood markets continues. Germany's increased use of Alaska seafood is linked to the value the
market places on health, food traceability, and fisheries management. The value of Alaska's 2006 energy exports decreased 21.4 percent to $263 million.
"We not only have abundant and diverse natural resources, Alaskans also have the expertise needed
to develop resources," said Governor Palin. "When we think about exports and international relations, we also need to thank the Alaskans who work to promote the visitor industry and who work at the state's international ports and airports."
Source: Alaska Governor's Office: Press release 07-035, "Exports"
Feb 22, 2007
Sarah Palin:
Establish viable commercial fisheries in international seas
We protect our waters and soils from pollutants, and we manage our wildlife for abundance. To ensure this, we've successfully brought the Habitat Division back into Fish and Game, as I promised.
Our biologists have protected game by eliminating predators from calving grounds and we'll further protect herds, some of which are at precariously low levels of abundance--thus ultimately promoting the population growth of every species.
We're building viable personal use and commercial fisheries in some of the most controversial and complex fisheries in the world, dealing with half a dozen foreign countries, including Japan, Russia and Canada.
We're establishing sustainable seafood stocks, and limiting salmon bycatch in the trawl fishery. We've increased research on salmon runs, and we're building new hatcheries for vibrant industry.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
Sean Randall Parnell:
Develop rare earth minerals to beat China trade quota
If we want our economy to become even more dynamic, we must also look to our untapped resources. Few people have ever heard of rare earth minerals, but rare earth minerals are of increasing importance in the world economy. These rare earth elements are
used in almost every piece of electronic equipment. Today, our Pacific Rim neighbor, China, controls 97% of the world market for these rare earth elements. Recently, China imposed trade quotas and increased tariffs on these precious commodities. And,
China announced it is substantially reducing access to these rare earth elements. These policies will cost Americans more of our hard-earned money and jeopardize national security. We cannot afford to rely on foreign sources to meet our nation's demand.
And you know what; there may be no reason to. Alaska is a storehouse of rare earth minerals. Let's explore them. We should work together to fund a strategic assessment of these minerals to determine, once again, how Alaska can help meet America's needs.
Source: 2011 Alaska State of the State Address
Jan 19, 2011
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023