2018 IA Governor's race: on Free Trade


Kim Reynolds: Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA

The USMCA is a new trade pact among the United States, Mexico and Canada, intended as a stronger and modernized replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA): "I am excited to hear news of this US-Mexico-Canada agreement. NAFTA has been good for agriculture, but a modernized agreement could provide better gains for Iowa farmers. Strengthening trade with Canada & Mexico provides more certainty to our Iowa farmers and the agribusinesses sector."

Source: White House press release in 2018 Iowa Governor's race Oct 2, 2018

Fred Hubbell: Farmers are on the edge financially because of trade war

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell called out Gov. Kim Reynolds for not taking a more aggressive public stance on behalf of Iowa farmers and rural interests that are being hurt by President Trump's trade war with China. Instead of rallying for farmers, Hubbell said at the State Fair, the governor has been "toeing the party line" in the trade dispute.

Hubbell said many Iowa farmers, implement dealers, suppliers and people reliant on agriculture are "on the edge" financially because of the effects of the trade war. Hubbell said, and that should have been the time for Reynolds to start discussing with President Trump how harmful a trade war would be for Iowa farmers. "They're the ones who usually receive the brunt of it," Hubbell said.

"Our governor didn't try to stop that and once it started she basically has been toeing the party line. Chuck Grassley's been a lot harder on this whole Trump and tariff war issue and he's right," Hubbell told reporters.

Source: Cedar Rapids Gazette on 2018 Iowa gubernatorial race Aug 11, 2018

Kim Reynolds: Nobody wins in a trade war

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell said Reynolds has been "toeing the party line" in the trade dispute.

Reynolds issued a statement after meeting with President Trump during a visit to Iowa, saying the president's visit gave her an opportunity to "voice the concerns and feedback I'm hearing from Iowa farmers." The governor said she implored Trump to allow year-round sales of E-15 ethanol-blended gasoline and resolve the trade issue that is hurting Iowa farmers.

"Our farmers will continue to do what they do best, and that's produce. By opening & expanding new markets and supporting year-round ethanol, Iowa farmers will continue to feed and fuel the world. I will always fight for our farmers and make sure their voices are heard," Reynolds said.

In response to Hubbell's remarks, Reynolds said: "Nobody wins in a trade war, and the administration knows where we stand. I am meeting with farmers regularly and they know I am fighting for them and have been for years.

Source: Cedar Rapids Gazette on 2018 Iowa gubernatorial race Aug 11, 2018

Jake Porter: Support free trade

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade"?

A: Strongly support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Iowa Governor candidate May 18, 2018

Marco Battaglia: Support free trade & freer trade

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade"?

A: I strongly support free trade. I would like to see a movement to freer trade.ÿ

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Iowa Governor candidate May 13, 2018

Andy McGuire: Unfair trade deals shut down factories & ship jobs overseas

I know that here in Iowa we have some of the hardest working people who want to earn an honest paycheck so they can support their families. Unfortunately, the recession has left many out of work while unfair trade deals shutdown factories and shipped jobs overseas. While we have begun to see the reemergence of American manufacturing, more must be done to ensure that everyone who wants a job can get one.

It is clear that more must be done to jumpstart our economy and ensure everyone has a chance to get a good paying job. As governor, I'll look for new solutions to attract and retain businesses here in Iowa, make sure economic development reaches all four corners of our state, support policies that ensure employees are compensated fairly and receive the benefits that they deserve, and dedicate additional resources to job training programs.

Source: 2018 Iowa Governor campaign website McGuireForGovernor.com Mar 21, 2018

  • The above quotations are from 2018 Iowa Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Free Trade.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Terry Branstad on Free Trade.
Candidates and political leaders on Free Trade:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Aug 10, 2019