|
Julian Castro on Free Trade
Democratic Presidential Challenger; former HUD Secretary
|
|
|
Erratic, haphazard trade wars hurt American families
Q: In one of the previous debates, you identified China as the most serious national security threat to our country. Senator Klobuchar said she would go back to the negotiating table with China, and avoid Trump's fast-changing trade rules.
What do you do for leverage?CASTRO: Well, look, I agree with those who have said that this erratic, haphazard trade war is hurting American families. As Senator Klobuchar said, [Trump's trade war has cost 300,000 American jobs.
It's estimated that it's cost $600 to the average American family. So when I become president, I would immediately begin to negotiate with China to ratchet down that trade war. We have leverage there. I also believe, though, that we need to return to a
leader when it comes to things like human rights. When it comes to this trade war, I would immediately begin ratcheting that trade war down. We have leverage in that discussion.
Source: September Democratic Primary debate in Houston
, Sep 12, 2019
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA
Castro on NAFTA/USMCA: Demand changes to USMCA.15 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Joe Biden; Cory Booker; Pete Buttigieg; Bill de Blasio; Kirsten Gillibrand; Kamala Harris; John Hickenlooper; Jay Inslee; Amy Klobuchar; Beto O`Rourke;
Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell; Elizabeth Warren; Marianne Williamson.
The majority of Democratic candidates want changes made to the agreement before it comes up for a vote in Congress, focusing on making changes to labor standards,
environmental provisions, access to medicines and enforcement of the deal. Seventeen candidates, asked by Citizens Trade Campaign, a national coalition pushing for changes to USMCA, agreed that Congress should not approve the deal until changes have been
made.
Mayor de Blasio has been among the most vocal candidates in expressing his opposition. "It's got a different name, but it's still NAFTA," he told CNN in July. "It's even worse in some ways. It gives even more power to corporations this time."
Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"
, Jul 17, 2019
Protect American workers but take part in global economy
We live in a 21st century global economy. We need to make sure that we always protect our American workers and companies, that they benefit by whatever we do in terms of trade. But we are going to compete in a 21st century global economy, and we need
to do that effectively. We're going to crack down on people who cheat. Before we enter into any kind of trade agreement, we want to make sure that we have tougher environmental standards, labor standards, and enforcement standards.
Source: CNN Town Hall: 2020 presidential hopefuls
, Apr 11, 2019
Renegotiate NAFTA to protect workers & environment
Castro wishes to renegotiate the
NAFTA trade deal in order to provide more protections for workers and the environment.
Source: Townhall.com: "The 2020 Democrats" (presidential hopefuls)
, Feb 4, 2019
Renegotiate NAFTA
As mayor of San Antonio, Castro strongly supported NAFTA and expanding the trade deal. He has said that he believes
the agreement should be renegotiated to strengthen worker and environmental protections.
Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls
, Jan 12, 2019
Page last updated: Dec 14, 2019