The Iowa Freedom Summit & Ag Summit (preparation for Iowa Caucus): on Free Trade
Bernie Sanders:
I strongly opposed NAFTA and DOMA from their inception
I have strongly criticized the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Defense of Marriage Act since a certain presidential couple enacted them back in the 90's. Six months ago, when
I began my campaign and announced we were going to take on these types of legislation, as well as the political and economic establishment of this country, very few people knew who I was. Well, in the last six months, things have changed.
Source: ABC News on 2015 presidential Democratic hopefuls in Iowa
Oct 25, 2015
Mike Huckabee:
Trans Pacific Partnership isn't fair trade or free trade
Huckabee complained that American wages have been stagnant since Chinese trade agreements went into effect over the past few decades: "People are working hard, and they have less to show for it," he said. "We need to quit apologizing for being
America, and we need to start making it so that Americans can prosper and not just so that the Chinese can buy Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags."
The comments came in response to questions about why the government has kept the embargo in place against Cuba, even as trade barriers with China have been lifted. "We have basically surrendered to the Chinese market,"
Huckabee said. "We've not put the pressure on them."
Huckabee expressed doubts over the Trans Pacific Partnership. "If it's not fair trade," he said, "it's not free trade."
Source: Politico.com coverage of 2015 Iowa Agricultural Summit
Mar 7, 2015
Rick Perry:
China practices communism at night & capitalism in daytime
Perry said trading with Castro's Cuba was unlikely to change the communist nation's ways.
Improving trade relationships elsewhere, he added, would best serve American interests. Perry proposed China as a better trading partner.
Increasing US ties with Beijing, he said, could lead the Asian nation towards democracy."China's different,"
Perry said of both countries. "China basically practices communism at night and capitalism in the daytime. There's a chance for our trade to engage with them and possibly change the culture."
Source: The Hill weblog coverage of 2015 Iowa Ag Summit
Mar 7, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018