Free Trade: 2012 contenders' views

Homeland Security

Tax Policy

War on Terror

Free Trade
Candidates' views>>
Background

Site search Web search

Issues

Infrastructure & Technology

Archives

Time to Get Tough, by Donald Trump

Courage to Stand, by Tim Pawlenty (Jan. 11, 2011)

No Apology, by Gov. Mitt Romney

Liberty Defined, by Ron Paul (April 19, 2011)

From Hope to Higher Ground, by Gov. Mike Huckabee

Gold, Peace, and Prosperity, by Ron Paul

Fed Up!, by Rick Perry (Nov. 15, 2010)

End the Fed, by Ron Paul

Do the Right Thing, by Mike Huckabee

The Revolution: A Manifesto, by Ron Paul, published April 2008

Mitt vs. Newt On the Issues, by Jesse Gordon of OnTheIssues.org

Newt! Leader of the Second American Revolution, by Dick Williams

Never Give Up: How I Turned My Biggest Challenges into Success, by Donald Trump

Bill sponsorship archives from the Library of Congress

Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin

Core of Conviction, by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R, MN)

The America We Deserve, by Donald Trump

America by Heart, by Sarah Palin

Survey of 2012 Presidential contenders' campaign websites

Survey of 2008 House campaign websites

FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 campaign ads

(click a picture above for excerpts or other books and debates about Free Trade)

Political Leaders

Site Map

Home
(Main page)

Issues
(Presidential quotations organized by topic)

Candidates
(Presidential quotations organized by candidate)

Recent
(Most recent quotation for each candidate)

Issue Grid
(Summary by topic of each candidate's positions)

Candidate Grid
(Summary by candidate of positions on each topic)

Archives
(Debate and book excerpts)

House of Representatives
(112th Congress)

Senate
(112th Senate)

Governors
(50 incumbents)

Cabinet
(16 Secretaries)

Supreme Court
(9 Justices)

Mayors
(12 Big-City Mayors)

Presidents
(9 Past Presidents)

VoteMatch
(Presidential Selector and Political Affiliation 20-question quiz)

About Us
(About OnTheIssues.org)

Write Us
(Your feedback to us)

Democratic
Incumbents:

Pres.Barack Obama
V.P.Joe Biden
Secy.Hillary Clinton

GOP
Governors:
Gov.Jon Huntsman (UT)
Gov.Gary Johnson (NM)
Gov.Rick Perry (TX)
Gov.Mitt Romney (MA)

GOP Representatives:
Rep.Michele Bachmann (MN)
Rep.Newt Gingrich (GA)
Rep.Thad McCotter (MI)
Rep.Ron Paul (TX)

Republican Candidates:

Herman Cain (GA)
Gov.Buddy Roemer (LA)
Sen.Rick Santorum (PA)

Rocky Anderson on Free Trade

Justice Party challenger for President; former mayor of Salt Lake City

Click here for 2 full quotes by Rocky Anderson OR click here for Rocky Anderson on other issues.

Opposes expanding free trade. (Feb 2012)
More disincentives & safeguards in trade agreements. (Dec 2011)

Michele Bachmann on Free Trade

Republican Representative (MN-6); 2011 GOP frontrunner

Click here for 5 full quotes by Michele Bachmann OR click here for Michele Bachmann on other issues.

Free enterprise & free markets can be summed up: "Freedom". (Nov 2011)
Votes for free trade, but also "Buy American" requirements. (Jun 2011)
Free and fair trade agreements spur economic growth. (Oct 2009)
Voted YES on promoting free trade with Peru. (Nov 2007)
Voted NO on assisting workers who lose jobs due to globalization. (Oct 2007)

Joe Biden on Free Trade

Vice President; previously Democratic Senator (DE)

Click here for 22 full quotes by Joe Biden OR click here for Joe Biden on other issues.

Countervailing duties against unfair trade practices. (Mar 2012)
Competition with China pushes for better products & policies. (Feb 2012)
No to tariffs; just enforce the law. (Dec 2007)
Built environmental and labor standards in trade agreements. (Dec 2007)
Toughest choice: rationalizing competition & trade policy. (Dec 2007)
Opposes fast-track to protect labor rights. (Nov 2007)
Shut down any imports of toys from China. (Oct 2007)
President�s job is to create jobs, not to export jobs. (Aug 2007)
No trade agreements without workers� & environmental rights. (Jul 2007)
Voted NO on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)
Rated 42% by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues. (Dec 2002)
Extend trade restrictions on Burma to promote democracy. (Jun 2007)

Jeb Bush on Free Trade

Republican FL Governor; V.P. prospect

Click here for the full quote by Jeb Bush OR click here for Jeb Bush on other issues.

Enforce trade law against subsidized Canadian lumber imports. (Sep 2001)

Herman Cain on Free Trade

Republican Businessman & Talk-Show Host; 2011 GOP frontrunner

Click here for 2 full quotes by Herman Cain OR click here for Herman Cain on other issues.

1993: Favored GATT; trade is not a zero-sum game. (Jun 2011)
China's economic strength is a national security threat. (May 2011)

Hillary Clinton on Free Trade

Secretary of State; previously Democratic Senator (NY)

Click here for 24 full quotes by Hillary Clinton OR click here for Hillary Clinton on other issues.

Have a trade prosecutor to enforce the trade agreements. (Feb 2008)
AdWatch: Supported NAFTA in 1998; opposed CAFTA since 2005. (Jan 2008)
Criticized trade pacts for weak labor standards. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck: for NAFTA while First Lady; now against CAFTA. (Oct 2007)
Export from big agribusiness, but also from small farmers. (Aug 2007)
Smart, pro-American trade: NAFTA has hurt workers. (Aug 2007)
No fast-track authority for this president. (Aug 2007)
Better approach: real trade adjustment assistance. (Aug 2007)
End tax breaks for outsourcing jobs. (Jun 2007)
Defended outsourcing of US jobs to India. (Oct 2005)
Globalization should not substitute for humanization. (Jun 1999)
Supports MFN for China, despite concerns over human rights. (Oct 2000)
Voting Record
Though Bill supported it, Hillary opposed NAFTA. (Oct 2007)
Voted against CAFTA despite Bill Clinton�s pushing NAFTA. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
Build a rule-based global trading system. (Aug 2000)
Rated 17% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
Extend trade restrictions on Burma to promote democracy. (Jun 2007)

Newt Gingrich on Free Trade

Former Republican Representative (GA-6) and Speaker of the House

Click here for 4 full quotes by Newt Gingrich OR click here for Newt Gingrich on other issues.

Mitt Romney's trade & immigration stances compared to Newt's. (Feb 2012)
Supported NAFTA, GATT, WTO, and MFN. (May 2011)
Protectionism helps China & India challenge US supremacy. (Dec 2006)
Mutual trade: neither free trade nor protectionism. (Jun 1995)

Virgil Goode on Free Trade

Constitution Party presidential nominee; former Republican Representative (VA-5)

Click here for 11 full quotes by Virgil Goode OR click here for Virgil Goode on other issues.

Voted NO on promoting free trade with Peru. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on assisting workers who lose jobs due to globalization. (Oct 2007)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Jul 2004)
Voted NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements. (Sep 1998)
No restrictions on import/export; but maintain sovereignty . (Dec 2000)
Rated 17% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
Block NAFTA Superhighway & North American Union. (Jan 2007)

Mike Huckabee on Free Trade

Former Republican AR Governor; possible draft candidate

Click here for 13 full quotes by Mike Huckabee OR click here for Mike Huckabee on other issues.

Free AND fair trade: globalize, but help those whom it harms. (Nov 2008)
Diplomacy hasn't worked; impose sanctions on China. (Nov 2008)
Supports NAFTA & CAFTA, if partners �hafta� abide by rules. (Jan 2008)
Fair trade includes lead-free products & playing by rules. (Jan 2008)
A free country must feed, fuel, & fight for itself. (Dec 2007)
We need fair trade because we�re losing jobs. (Oct 2007)
This country can never yield its sovereignty for any reason. (Sep 2007)
Trade sanctions on Saudi Arabia for persecuting Christians. (Sep 2007)
China trade contingent on human rights & product safety. (Sep 2007)
No NAFTA Superhighway from Canada to Mexico. (Sep 2007)
Marketplace pushes innovation to top & prices to bottom. (Jan 2007)
Farm subsidies ok because Europe & Asia do same. (Jan 2007)
Enforce trade law against subsidized Canadian lumber imports. (Sep 2001)

Gary Johnson on Free Trade

Libertarian presidential nominee; former Republican NM Governor

Click here for 3 full quotes by Gary Johnson OR click here for Gary Johnson on other issues.

No tariffs, no restrictions; but no corporatism. (Jul 2011)
Eliminate needless barriers to free trade. (May 2011)
NAFTA benefits New Mexico; jobs lost are those we don't want. (Jan 2001)

Barack Obama on Free Trade

Democratic incumbent President; IL Senator (2004-2008)

Click here for 32 full quotes by Barack Obama OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.

Trade Enforcement Unit: inspections for safe imports. (Jan 2012)
FactCheck: Chinese tire import ban replaced by other imports. (Jan 2012)
Double our exports by 2014; starting with South Korea. (Jan 2011)
FactCheck: Yes, exports up; but not enough to double by 2014. (Jan 2011)
Enforce trade being reciprocal; not just a one-way street. (Jan 2010)
More exports means more jobs; double exports for 2M new jobs. (Jan 2010)
We export only 4,000 cars to Korea; that�s not free trade!. (Oct 2008)
China trade deal does too little on fairness & compliance. (Aug 2008)
Trade is here to stay; we have to compete. (Aug 2008)
Global trade is unsustainable if it favors only the few. (Jul 2008)
NAFTA protects corporate profits; should protect labor. (Jul 2008)
Supports trade & globalization but opposes CAFTA job loss. (Jul 2008)
Assist workers who lose globalization's race to the bottom. (Jul 2008)
Peru trade OK because it includes labor & enviro protections. (Jul 2008)
Impossible to turn back globalization; we�d be worse off. (Jun 2008)
Don�t let trade policy be dictated by special interests. (Jun 2008)
Strong labor, safety, and environmental standards on trade. (Feb 2008)
More Transition Assistance for displaced workers. (Feb 2008)
Enforce environmental & labor provisions in trade agreements. (Jan 2008)
Enforce existing safety laws against Chinese products. (Dec 2007)
NAFTA needs to be amended. (Dec 2007)
Stand firm against CAFTA for labor & environmental standards. (Aug 2007)
Congress subsidizes megafarms & hurts family farmers. (Aug 2007)
People don�t want cheaper T-shirts if it costs their job. (Aug 2007)
Amend NAFTA to add labor agreements. (Aug 2007)
Reinvest in communities that are burdened by globalization. (Jun 2007)
Insist on labor and human rights standards for China trade. (Jul 2004)
Fair trade should have tangible benefits for US. (Jun 2004)
Free Trade Agreements
Double US exports via deals with Panama, Colombia, & S.Korea. (Jan 2012)
Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
Extend trade restrictions on Burma to promote democracy. (Jun 2007)

Sarah Palin on Free Trade

Republican Governor (AK); 2008 nominee for Vice President

Click here for 8 full quotes by Sarah Palin OR click here for Sarah Palin on other issues.

Government is unnecessary for economic cooperation. (Nov 2010)
Bothered by China's bid to control Alaska gasline. (Nov 2009)
Establish viable commercial fisheries in international seas. (Jan 2009)
Trade important to Alaska, but keep Alaska residents first. (Sep 2008)
Allow wineries to ship by mail within state. (Jun 2008)
International markets and companies trust Alaska. (Apr 2008)
Exempt Alaskan cruise ships from customs rule changes. (Dec 2007)
Record-high exports; growth of 12.6% since last year. (Feb 2007)

Ron Paul on Free Trade

Republican Representative (TX-14); previously Libertarian for President

Click here for 30 full quotes by Ron Paul OR click here for Ron Paul on other issues.

Free trade helps all of Latin America, even Cuba. (Jan 2012)
China trade benefits American consumers. (Jan 2012)
Trade sanctions never worked on Cuba, and won't work on Iran. (Aug 2011)
No embargoes & no tariffs; but no NAFTA too. (Jun 2011)
Fast-track cedes power from Congress to President. (Apr 2011)
I oppose trade organizations because of flawed fast-track. (Apr 2011)
Market can sort out mess created by central banks. (Sep 2010)
Inflation is regressive & results in protectionism. (Sep 2010)
Free trade agreements threaten national sovereignty. (Apr 2008)
FactCheck: NAFTA Superhighway not a conspiracy; it�s I-35. (Feb 2008)
Look at the monetary system and deal with the trade issues. (Dec 2007)
Block international highway from Canada to Mexico. (Dec 2007)
No North American Union; no WTO; no UN. (Sep 2007)
Inappropriate to impose sanctions for persecuting Christians. (Sep 2007)
China trade not contingent on human rights & product safety. (Sep 2007)
No NAFTA Superhighway from Canada to Mexico. (Sep 2007)
NAFTA superhighway threatens widespread eminent domain. (Sep 2007)
IMF empowers politicians by causing inflation. (Dec 1981)
Allow Americans to own gold; end large-scale foreign sales. (Dec 1981)
Voted NO on promoting free trade with Peru. (Nov 2007)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Jul 2004)
Voted NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements. (Sep 1998)
No restrictions on import/export; but maintain sovereignty . (Dec 2000)
End economic protectionism: let dairy compacts expire . (Aug 2001)
Rated 76% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
Block NAFTA Superhighway & North American Union. (Jan 2007)

Buddy Roemer on Free Trade

Former Governor (R-LA); frontrunner for AmericansElect presidential nomination

Click here for 2 full quotes by Buddy Roemer OR click here for Buddy Roemer on other issues.

Enforce a level playing field in international trade. (Mar 2011)
Extend Japanese auto export restraints. (Sep 1983)

Mitt Romney on Free Trade

Former Republican Governor (MA); presidential nominee-apparent

Click here for 13 full quotes by Mitt Romney OR click here for Mitt Romney on other issues.

Open new markets to grow; but also enforce fair trade. (Feb 2012)
China's steel dumping forced US mills to close. (Jan 2012)
We have to open up markets to America's goods. (Jan 2012)
Trade with China only if they follow international rules. (Nov 2011)
Go to WTO about China; we're already in a trade war. (Nov 2011)
China is a currency manipulator; go after them for cheating. (Oct 2011)
China doesn't want to have a trade war; so push hard. (Oct 2011)
Trade is good for the nation, but not good for everybody. (Mar 2010)
Protectionism stifles productivity, under Bush AND Obama. (Mar 2010)
Re-negotiate trade deals with China and other countries. (Dec 2007)
Open up markets to American goods and services. (Oct 2007)
Businesspeople should negotiate trade, not politicians. (Oct 2007)
Emergence of Asia is an opportunity for trade and commerce. (Dec 2006)

Rick Santorum on Free Trade

Republican Jr Senator (PA); 2012 presidential frontrunner

Click here for 14 full quotes by Rick Santorum OR click here for Rick Santorum on other issues.

I'm for making US more competitive than China. (Oct 2011)
1993: Voted against NAFTA because it hurt PA industries. (Jun 2011)
Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)
Rated 100% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record. (Dec 2002)

Jill Stein on Free Trade

Green Party presidential nominee; Former Challenger for MA Governor

Click here for the full quote by Jill Stein OR click here for Jill Stein on other issues.

NAFTA caused the wave of undocumented immigrants. (Dec 2011)

Donald Trump on Free Trade

2000 Reform Primary Challenger for President

Click here for 7 full quotes by Donald Trump OR click here for Donald Trump on other issues.

20% tax on all imported goods. (Dec 2011)
Fair trade instead of embarrassing deal with South Korea. (Dec 2011)
Repatriate jobs that China has been stealing. (Dec 2011)
Embrace globalization and international markets. (Jan 2008)
Renegotiate tougher & fairer trade agreements. (Jul 2000)
President should be nation�s trade representative. (Dec 1999)
World views US trade officials as �saps�. (Dec 1999)

E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org

Send donations or submit quotations to:
On The Issues
1770 Massachusetts Ave. #630
Cambridge, MA 02140

Written by
WebMerchants

Reproduction of material from any OnTheIssues.org pages without written permission is prohibited.
Copyright © 1999-2008 OnTheIssues.org & the SpeakOut Foundation, all rights reserved.
OnTheIssues.org 1770 Massachusetts Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail us at:info at OnTheIssues.org | Advertising information | Privacy and Use Policies

Voting Record

Free Trade Agreements

E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org