State of Massachusetts secondary Archives: on Free Trade


Carla Howell: Allow open trade with China

Q: What is your position on China, and most favored nation trading status? What should America’s foreign policy be in terms of China?

A: Big government wants to intervene militarily and then regulate trade. Small government wants to limit the military to protecting America and open trade. Trade promotes peace between countries. Trade promotes prosperity. The Senate should keep its hands out of trade altogether and allow Americans to trade with the world.

Source: Eric Darbe, Massachusetts News Jan 5, 2000

Deval Patrick: New airports open our doors to new markets

Today, our doors are open to new markets around the world through direct flights to Dublin, Madrid, Toronto, the Dominican Republic, Tokyo, Panama City, Istanbul, Dubai and Beijing; Logan saw record numbers of travelers in the last two years; and Worcester Airport is open for business.

I know there is unfinished business. But I also know that we are a more prosperous, more promising and more just Commonwealth for more people today. I know that Massachusetts is back in the leadership business, and that the state of our Commonwealth is strong.

Economic growth matters--not just because it creates wealth, though that is good; and not just because it expands a given industry or reduces unemployment rates, though that is also good. Growth matters because it creates opportunity, and opportunity is fundamental to who we are. Every one of us has a stake in that. Creating opportunity, keeping the Dream within reach, is the agenda now, just as it has been for the past seven years.

Source: 2014 State of the State speech to Massachusetts legislature Jan 28, 2014

Heidi Wellman: Support & expand free trade

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

A: YES

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Massachusetts Senate candidate Mar 7, 2018

Jesse Gordon: Include labor & environmental standards in trade agreements

Q: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a massive trade deal that would affect 792 million people and 40 percent of the world economy. The TPP must be stopped and policies like NAFTA, CAFTA, and PNTR with China that have driven down wages and caused the loss of millions of jobs need to be reversed.

A: Agree.

Candidate's position on this issue: Trade agreements should include labor and environmental standards. I worked on a NAFEC project to help define NAFTA's environmental standards.

Source: ORMA questionnaire on 2018 Massachusetts governor race Jul 31, 2017

Karyn Polito: Voted NO on International Trade Council to promote exports

Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part IV: Economic Growth:Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted NO].

Vote on veto override of Supplemental appropriations, International Trad Council: Item 7007-1300 (contained in section 2 as $1,100,000, see House, No. 4330), which had returned by the Governor with a reduction (to $500,000; for message, see House, No. 4365), was considered.

Relevant platform section:Part IV: Economic Growth Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy: "We believe the extraordinary depth and breadth of the knowledge-based sector of the Massachusetts economy is a key competitive edge in the global market... We encourage open global trade that promotes fair employment and sound environmental standards by our trading partners. We support state and federal efforts to promote Massachusetts exports."

Source citation: Veto Override, Item 7007-1300 ; vote number 495

Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org Jan 14, 2004

Kevin O`Connor: America first means robust free trade

America First does not mean isolated from the rest of the world. I want our companies to profit from our relationships around the world, and part of that equation is leveling the playing field in regards to our imports from countries with dismal labor standards.
Source: 2020 Massachusetts Senate campaign website KOCforSenate.com Oct 6, 2020

Marty Walsh: Voted YES on International Trade Council to promote exports

Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part IV: Economic Growth:Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy. [State Rep. Walsh voted YES].

Vote on veto override of Supplemental appropriations, International Trad Council: Item 7007-1300 (contained in section 2 as $1,100,000, see House, No. 4330), which had returned by the Governor with a reduction (to $500,000; for message, see House, No. 4365), was considered.

Relevant platform section:Part IV: Economic Growth Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy: "We believe the extraordinary depth and breadth of the knowledge-based sector of the Massachusetts economy is a key competitive edge in the global market... We encourage open global trade that promotes fair employment and sound environmental standards by our trading partners. We support state and federal efforts to promote Massachusetts exports."

Source citation: Veto Override, Item 7007-1300 ; vote number 495

Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org Jan 14, 2004

Richard Tisei: Voted YES on International Trade Council to promote exports

Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part IV: Economic Growth:Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy. [State Senator Tisei, a Republican, voted YES].

Vote on veto override of Supplemental appropriations, International Tra Council: Item 7007-1300 (contained in section 2 as $1,100,000, see House, No. 4330), which had returned by the Governor with a reduction (to $500,000; for message, see House, No. 4365), was considered.

Relevant platform section:Part IV: Economic Growth Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy: "We believe the extraordinary depth and breadth of the knowledge-based sector of the Massachusetts economy is a key competitive edge in the global market... We encourage open global trade that promotes fair employment and sound environmental standards by our trading partners. We support state and federal efforts to promote Massachusetts exports."

Source citation: Veto Override, Item 7007-1300 ; vote number 495

Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org Jan 15, 2004

Scott Brown: Voted NO on International Trade Council to promote exports

Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part IV: Economic Growth:Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted NO].

Vote on veto override of Supplemental appropriations, International Trad Council: Item 7007-1300 (contained in section 2 as $1,100,000, see House, No. 4330), which had returned by the Governor with a reduction (to $500,000; for message, see House, No. 4365), was considered.

Relevant platform section:Part IV: Economic Growth Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy: "We believe the extraordinary depth and breadth of the knowledge-based sector of the Massachusetts economy is a key competitive edge in the global market... We encourage open global trade that promotes fair employment and sound environmental standards by our trading partners. We support state and federal efforts to promote Massachusetts exports."

Source citation: Veto Override, Item 7007-1300 ; vote number 495

Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org Jan 14, 2004

  • The above quotations are from Commonwealth of Massachusetts Politicians: secondary Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Free Trade.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2016 Presidential contenders on Free Trade:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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