State of Arkansas Archives: on Free Trade
Asa Hutchinson:
Supports high tariffs to eventually lead to low tariffs
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Trump's $12 billion support program to help farmers hurt by the trade war has softened the blow and that "there's a great deal of patience among our farmers" for the president's "tougher" trade policy. "We want very
quickly to get back to low tariffs," Hutchinson said. "No tariffs should be the objective so that we can compete in the global market, and the president I hope will be able to achieve that through negotiations very soon."
Hutchinson said a new trade agreement with China would be unprecedented. "I think it's critical for President Trump that he has a good outcome," Hutchinson said. "I think trade is a key part of that to show industrial
America his trade policies have benefited the working class here in the United States and those that depend on those manufacturing jobs. I think right now that grade is a little bit incomplete, but I'm optimistic it's going to turn around."
Source: RouteFifty.com blog on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Jul 9, 2018
Asa Hutchinson:
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. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR): "#USMCA is good news for AR & AR farmers.
The agreement will enable our agricultural producers to continue trade w/ our state's export customers in Mexico & Canada. While I am still studying many of the details, this is a victory for American workers & Pres @realDonaldTrump."
Source: White House press release in 2018 Arkansas Governor's race
Oct 2, 2018
Bruce Westerman:
Expand foreign markets for farm exports
There is no question that American agriculture is the best in the world. Although they account for slightly over 2% of the population, American farmers produce enough food and fiber for every American and export nearly a quarter of their product
worldwide. I will advocate that future agricultural policies should focus on ensuring a reliable and safe food supply by:- Expanding foreign markets, and opening new markets while ensuring American producers are competing on a level playing field
with the rest of the world. Free trade must also be fair trade.
- Implementing and enforcing common sense, science-based safety standards and regulations that ensures a safe food supply, but does not create unnecessary burdens for
agricultural producers and processors.
- Promoting agricultural research and innovation to ensure that American agriculture remains the world leader in technology, efficiency, and productivity.
Source: 2014 Arkansas House campaign website, BruceWesterman.com
Oct 10, 2014
Conner Eldridge:
Opposes Trans Pacific Partnership; supports fair trade
Eldridge reaffirmed his opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership--a trade agreement between the United States and eleven other Pacific Rim countries. Eldridge said he is concerned about the trade deal's impact on Arkansas's workers,
especially the state's rice farmers. "I support fair trade that helps all Arkansans, including our rice farmers, which is why I oppose the Trans Pacific Partnership in its current form.
We need a trade deal that expands export markets for all commodities and strengthens Arkansas's entire agricultural and manufacturing communities - this deal does not meet that test. As someone who grew up on a rice farm in east Arkansas,
I understand the concerns voiced by everyday farmers and workers, which is why I know Arkansas loses with bad trade deals like this. We want free trade agreements that are fair and enforced on all countries.
Source: 2016 Arkansas Senate campaign website ConnerForArkansas.com
Apr 1, 2016
Mark West:
Support & expand free trade
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade"?
A: Support
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arkansas governor candidate
Apr 28, 2018
Mike Beebe:
Cuba's interest in AR exports is good for the state
I led a trade and economic development mission to Cuba. Arkansas has a history of exporting rice, poultry, textiles, and cereal products to Cuba. We traveled to Cuba to explore the ways Arkansas can improve and expand trade relations with
this island nation that lies a mere 90 miles off the coast of Florida. After meeting with Cuba's trade minister and foreign affairs representatives, I'm convinced that Cuba wants to encourage American tourism and trade.
Source: Arkansas 2009 gubernatorial press release #1797
Aug 7, 2009
Natalie James:
Expand market access; fight trade policies hurting farmers
As your Senator, Natalie James will:- Fight trade policies that hurt Arkansas farmers.
- Ensure the U.S.D.A. (the U.S. Department of Agriculture) adopts policies that close the equal opportunity gap for small, minority, and
black-owned farms; while expanding existing resources.
- Expand market access for Arkansas grown products. and
- Ensure Arkansas farmers have a voice in the conversation regarding the U.S. efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Senate campaign website JamesForArkansas.com
Jun 7, 2022
Tim Griffin:
Applauds USMCA for promoting trade, economic growth
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) promotes free and fair trade, allows for robust economic growth while also expanding market access for Arkansas agricultural products, and incentivizing American manufacturing.
I applaud the President and our Federal Delegation for their continued commitment to improve trade, grow jobs, and keep our nation globally competitive.
Source: Lt. Governor press release for 2022 Arkansas governor race
Jan 29, 2020
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Expand law to divest state resources from Communist China
President Trump was the first President in my lifetime to stand up to China, and Arkansas was the first state in the nation to kick Communist China off our farmland and out of our state.We will expand that law with the
Communist China Defense Act, divesting state resources from Communist China and banning our adversaries from buying land around things like military bases and electric substations.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Jan 14, 2025
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Trump's tariffs are a tool used by the ultimate dealmaker
President Trump is "now coming in having been president before, and he knows some of the tools that he has in his toolbox that he was able to use successfully," Sanders said in a response about tariffs.
"I think it's one of those things that he will use as a tool in his toolbox and something that he can use in leverage and negotiations. At the end of the day, he is the ultimate dealmaker," she said.
Source: AXIOS.com, "Tariff Talk," on 2026 Arkansas Governor race
Jan 24, 2025
Hallie Shoffner:
Couldn't predict family farm expenses due to tariffs
After deciding to close the family farm in February 2025 due to financial reasons, Hallie Shoffner made the pivot to a Senate campaign to change the way the state approaches agriculture. "I could not predict how much our fertilizer was going to cost or
chemicals, especially as we were staring down the barrel of tariffs; we did not know what would happen," Shoffner said. "The one thing I did know was that this would be a losing year before we ever put a seed in the ground."
Source: Arkansas Traveler on 2026 Arkansas Senate race
Mar 1, 2026
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
I've led economic trade missions around the world
I've led economic trade missions around the world to secure deals that helped further establish our state as a leader in aerospace, defense, steel, energy, and advanced manufacturing, creating thousands of high-paying jobs for Arkansans.
Thanks in part to that work, Arkansans are producing some of the key components of Israel's Iron Dome--and, hopefully, will be instrumental in building President Trump's Golden Dome.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Apr 8, 2026
Fredrick Love:
Farmers we are suffering under these crushing tariffs
Q: What have you found campaigning?A: You get to travel to the Delta where you're talking to farmers that are like, "Hey, we are suffering under these crushing tariffs." I went down to Lafayette County, and this guy was just telling me a devastating
story. They're losing everything. And it's like, "Man, this farm has been in my family for four or five generations." They're losing everything.
Source: Arkansas Times on 2026 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Aug 21, 2026
Page last updated: Oct 18, 2026