State of Virginia Archives: on Free Trade


Terry McAuliffe: Travel the globe selling VA agricultural & forestry products

Last year I announced my goal to make Virginia the East Coast capital for agriculture and forestry exports. That wasn't empty rhetoric--we got right to work. We hosted 18 ambassadors to discuss a range of trade issues. We traveled the globe selling Virginia agricultural products--everything from apples to wine, to soybeans to peanuts. I even ate my fair share of fried cicadas and chicken paws--but I will eat anything if it means more jobs and investment here at home.

I am pleased to announce that our efforts are paying off. For the first time in the history of Virginia, agriculture and forestry exports exceeded $3 billion dollars in 2014.

But if we are going to continue our momentum, we must invest in smart incentive funds like the Governor's Opportunity Fund and the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund. These tools make Virginia competitive in a global economy, and they provide a real return on investment: for every $1 we invest, we receive $9 in budget revenue in return.

Source: State of the State address to 2015 Virginia Legislature Jan 14, 2015

Terry McAuliffe: Rebuild shipping container gateway at Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is one of our greatest economic assets. It is our gateway to the world of international commerce. This year, the Port has seen record-breaking growth in the number of shipping containers that move through that facility.

The Port, which was losing millions and failing to meet its debt covenants this time last year, is finally on track to become the profitable economic asset this Commonwealth needs.

Source: State of the State address to 2015 Virginia Legislature Jan 14, 2015

Ed Gillespie: Opposes the Export-Import Bank

Gillespie cited opposition to the Export-Import Bank as evidence of his independence.

Warner noted that the Republican-leaning National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce both support renewing the Export-Import Bank. "It supports American businesses in a global economy, giving them a financial backstop," he said.

Gillespie noted that he understands the arguments for the bank. "I have a lot of friends who support the Export-Import bank, believe me," he said. "I think it's an area where we can get some savings. I know it's hard to stand up to the Chamber of Commerce [and] the National Association of Manufacturers," Gillespie added, but that's the job of a senator."

Source: Politico.com weblog on 2014 Virginia Senate debate Jul 26, 2014

Mark Warner: Renew Export-Import Bank to support U.S. businesses globally

Gillespie cited opposition to the Export-Import Bank as evidence of his independence.

Warner noted that the Republican-leaning National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce both support renewing the Export-Import Bank. "It supports American businesses in a global economy, giving them a financial backstop," he said.

Gillespie noted that he understands the arguments for the bank. "I have a lot of friends who support the Export-Import bank, believe me," he said. "I think it's an area where we can get some savings. I know it's hard to stand up to the Chamber of Commerce [and] the National Association of Manufacturers," Gillespie added, but that's the job of a senator."

Source: Politico.com weblog on 2014 Virginia Senate debate Jul 26, 2014

Bob McDonnell: Trade missions worked in London, Shanghai, and Mumbai

Overseas visitors spent a record-breaking $321 million here in 2011, and I was on hand to open trade and agricultural offices in London, Shanghai, New Delhi and Mumbai to sell Virginia products around the world and create more good jobs here at home. Our trade missions are getting results. Last month alone one ship left Chesapeake and delivered $25 million worth of Virginia soybeans to China. Two weeks ago, another vessel began the same journey, with another 25 million worth of Virginia soybeans.
Source: 2012 Virginia State of the State Address Jan 11, 2012

Bob McDonnell: Compete more vigorously to attract jobs from abroad

There is a competition underway among the states and the nations. From Raleigh to Singapore, governments are pursuing bold initiatives to attract new job-creating businesses to their borders. We must compete more vigorously to be successful. Growing the tax base through business development is the key to Virginia's economic recovery.

Let's double the amount of the Fund for Fiscal Year 2011. We have fallen behind many neighboring states in the tax and regulatory incentives we offer, which cannot last.

Source: Virginia 2010 State of the State Address Jan 18, 2010

Ed Gillespie: Lobbied to remove tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber

The British Columbia Lumber Trade Council paid Gillespie's lobbying firm, Quinn-Gillespie, $1.78 million on lobbying in a failed effort to remove U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber.
Source: Public Citizen Congress Watch on 2014 Virginia Senate race Jun 1, 2003

  • The above quotations are from Commonwealth of Virginia Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Free Trade.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2020 Presidential contenders on Free Trade:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021