State of Iowa Archives: on Free Trade
Al Sharpton:
Repeal NAFTA and GATT: too business-friendly
Too many Democrats agreed with deregulating big business. Too many Democrats allowed big business to have us swayed with these trade agreements. We need to repeal NAFTA.
We need to repeal GATT. We need to criminalize those that don’t just go off shore for business reason, it is their criminal intent not to have to pay their share in an America that they want to be a part of.
Source: AFSCME union debate in Iowa
May 17, 2003
Alan Keyes:
WTO allows dictators to decide our future - US out
Everybody else is busy arguing about whether China should be in the WTO. I look at an organization that is unrepresentative, elected by no one, where dictators and tyrants have the same right to send representatives to make substantive decisions that
will affect our jobs & livelihood in a fashion totally contrary to our constitution. The question isn’t whether China should belong to the WTO. The question is whether the US should belong to an organization that violates our constitutional principles.
Source: Des Moines Iowa GOP Debate
Dec 13, 1999
Amy Klobuchar:
We need a North American trading bloc to take on China
I will never forget going to a plant and there was one worker left. That plant had been shut down because of Trump's trade policies. That worker brought out a coat rack of uniforms and he said, these are my friends, they don't work anymore.
And their names were embroidered on those uniforms, These are real people hurt by Donald Trump's trade war. We need a big trading bloc with North America to take on China.
Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus
Jan 14, 2020
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
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
Bernie Sanders:
Need trade deal that includes stakeholders, not just CEOs
Q: You support the USMCA?SANDERS: It is not so easy to put together new trade legislation. If this is passed, I think it will set us back a number of years. Senator Warren is right in saying we need to bring the stakeholders to the table, the family
farmers here in Iowa and in Vermont and around the country, the environmental community, and the workers. I am sick and tired of trade agreements negotiated by the CEOs of large corporations behind doors.
Sen. Elizabeth WARREN:
I led the fight against the trade deal with Asia and the deal with Europe, because I didn't think it was in the interests of the American people. But we have farmers who are hurting. They are hurting because of Donald Trump's initiated trade wars.
This new trade deal is a modest improvement. It will give some relief to farmers. It will give some relief to workers. I believe we accept that relief, and we get up the next day and fight for a better trade deal.
Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus
Jan 14, 2020
Bob Krause:
Emergency legislation emphasizing fair trade
In 2008, Krause spent four months abroad, working on proposals to reduce traffic congestion in the United Arab Emirates. Those experiences propel his drive to stop the outflow of jobs to foreign countries.Topping Krause's policy agenda are promises
of job growth, worker-focused trade policies and support for veterans.
Specifically, Krause says he would introduce emergency legislation emphasizing "fair trade" policies in all agreements with foreign companies.
He said he would work to reverse a law that allows American companies overseas to avoid taxes if they keep their profits outside the United States.
Ask Krause about Grassley--his experience, his influence in the U.S. Senate, the federal money he delivers to Iowans--and the Democrat scoffs.
Source: Des Moines Register on 2016 Iowa Senate race
Apr 22, 2010
Bill Bradley:
Rely on the WTO to export beef to Europe
Q: What would you do to ensure that all American farm products have access to all markets? A: I think the most important thing we can do is to use our authority under the WTO in order to petition to get access to markets. When, for example, Europe
blocked our beef because of beef hormones, we went to the WTO. We formed a dispute settlement mechanism. We presented our case, and they ruled in our favor. There’s still delay in the entry of that beef into Europe, but the decision was made.
Source: Democrat Debate in Johnston Iowa
Jan 8, 2000
Bill Bradley:
All refugees should be granted rights to stay in US
Q: Should the wet-foot-dry-foot law be expanded to include groups other than Cubans? A: People who come to our shores as refugees have a right to remain because they’re fleeing tyranny, not just Communist tyranny. We ought to ensure that they can stay
and have the same legal rights as everybody else. The 1996 Immigration Law created some problems that we need to rectify. We’re all immigrants in this country. So I think immigration is what we are as a country. It should be celebrated.
Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa
Jan 17, 2000
Bob Krause:
Focus trade policies on middle-class incomes
A policy to break our stagnant incomes cycle: As your US Senator, i will work to break the cycle of stagnant wages that is hitting all but very upper-income Americans.We need:-
Changed international trade policies to preserve incomes
- Shift the trade benefit to the middle class from the one percent
-
Better protection for union rights and the right to organize - both domestically and in existing international trade agreements
- National taxation and budget policies that favor the middle and working class
-
An annual report to Congress on the state of the middle class to focus emphasis on the issue.
Source: 2016 Campaign website for Iowa Senate, krauseforiowa.com
Nov 11, 2015
Carol Moseley-Braun:
We need balance between trade and labor protection
Q: Your views on labor and environmental rights in trade agreements? MOSELEY BRAUN: Isn’t the issue really one of balance?
We can’t afford to go the route of just protectionism that will jump-start a depression in this country nor can we afford to just give away the store, as has happened under this administration’s leadership with our trade agreements.
You have to have environmental and labor standards and human rights standards in order to level the playing field for American companies so that we aren’t hemorrhaging jobs as a result of our engagements with the rest of the world.
But to stand and tell the American people that protectionism will somehow or another keep jobs in this country is just not true.
Source: Democratic 2004 Presidential Primary Debate in Iowa
Jan 4, 2004
Christopher Reed:
NAFTA harms the US
Q: What is your view on NAFTA and other free trade agreements as a whole?A: Whatever the original intentions behind NAFTA, I think it only serves to harm the United States. The United States is the best in the world. We have the best workers, the most
creative minds and best companies in the world. We cannot keep exporting our labor and manufacturing out of the country if we are going to stay on top of the world. We must keep Americans doing the work if we want to stay there.
Source: The Iowa Brigade, email questionnaire
Apr 2, 2008
Chuck Grassley:
Free trade is the only way developing economies will grow
Grassley works to open overseas markets to benefit Iowa agriculture, financial services and manufacturing sectors that help create high-paying jobs here at home.Over and over again free and fair trade has proven to promote peace, cultivate democracy
and help improve the economies of all the countries involved. Free trade is the only way developing economies will truly grow. We saw the danger and damage of protectionism during the Great Depression and World War II. The economic devastation caused by
the restrictive trade policies enacted during the 1930s contributed strongly to the prolonged war in which millions died.
Seeking to expand the number of countries embracing free trade, the U.S. recently completed negotiations of a free
trade agreement with five Central American countries and the Dominican Republic. This agreement has the potential to help further stabilize this region and be the next step forward towards freer and fairer trade around the world.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2010 Iowa Senate incumbents
Nov 28, 2010
Dennis Kucinich:
President has authority to cancel NAFTA and WTO-I will
KUCINICH: I will cancel NAFTA and the WTO. We’ve lost over 3 million manufacturing jobs in this country. The president has the authority and power to cancel NAFTA and the WTO. Will you, Governor Dean? DEAN: I did not vote for NAFTA or the WTO,
because I have never served in Congress. But I did support China’s entry into the WTO in 1999 because I believed it was an issue for national security. I believe in constructive engagement. That doesn’t mean these agreements don’t need to be changed.
We have stood up for multinational corporations in these agreements, but we have not stood up for workers’ rights, environmental rights and human rights. And until we do, trade doesn’t work.
GEPHARDT: Look, Howard, you were for NAFTA. You came to the
signing ceremony. You were for the China agreement. It’s one thing to talk the talk, it’s another thing to walk the walk. We’ve got to get labor and environment in these treaties, when the treaties are before the Congress. That’s when it counts.
Source: Democratic 2004 Presidential Primary Debate in Iowa
Jan 4, 2004
Dick Gephardt:
I’m for labor rights and NAFTA supporters are not
GEPHARDT: I got a trade treaty with Jordan that really paid attention to labor & environmental rights. The Gephardt amendment is in law in the country, and it got markets open, like in Japan, where we’ve had to face unfair trade practices. Now, everybody
up here, except Kucinich, voted for NAFTA and voted for the China agreement. They did the wrong thing. We need to bring up conditions in these other countries so that we work toward a global marketplace that works for everybody. You can’t do that if you
give in to bad trade deals, like most of these candidates did. EDWARDS: I didn’t vote for NAFTA. I campaigned against NAFTA. I voted against the Chilean trade agreement, against the Caribbean trade agreement, against the Singapore trade agreement,
against final passage of fast track for this president. Gephardt has sent out mailings attacking and identifying all of us and putting us in the same category.
GEPHARDT: Well, you weren’t in Congress when NAFTA came up. But you voted for China.
Source: Democratic 2004 Presidential Primary Debate in Iowa
Jan 4, 2004
Dick Gephardt:
Walk the walk of labor and environmental standards-by voting
KUCINICH: I will cancel NAFTA and the WTO. We’ve lost over 3 million manufacturing jobs in this country. The president has the authority and power to cancel NAFTA and the WTO. Will you, Governor Dean? DEAN: I did not vote for NAFTA or the WTO,
because I have never served in Congress. But I did support China’s entry into the WTO in 1999 because I believed it was an issue for national security. I believe in constructive engagement. That doesn’t mean these agreements don’t need to be changed.
We have stood up for multinational corporations in these agreements, but we have not stood up for workers’ rights, environmental rights and human rights. And until we do, trade doesn’t work.
GEPHARDT: Look, Howard, you were for NAFTA. You came to the
signing ceremony. You were for the China agreement. It’s one thing to talk the talk, it’s another thing to walk the walk. We’ve got to get labor and environment in these treaties, when the treaties are before the Congress. That’s when it counts.
Source: Democratic 2004 Presidential Primary Debate in Iowa
Jan 4, 2004
Doug Butzier:
Free trade is the very foundation of prosperity
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade. Absolutely"?
A: Free Markets and Free Trade are at the very foundation of economic growth and prosperity.
Source: E-mail interview: 2014 Iowa Senate race with OnTheIssues.org
Sep 17, 2014
Elizabeth Warren:
China trade deal will help farmers, then work to improve it
Q: You support the USMCA?WARREN: I led the fight against the trade deal with Asia and the deal with Europe, because I didn't think it was in the interests of the American people. But we have farmers who are hurting. They are hurting because of Donald
Trump's initiated trade wars. This new trade deal is a modest improvement. It will give some relief to farmers. It will give some relief to workers. I believe we accept that relief, and we get up the next day and fight for a better trade deal.
Sen. Bernie SANDERS: It is not so easy to put together new trade legislation. If this is passed, I think it will set us back a number of years. Senator Warren is right in saying we need to bring the stakeholders to the table, the family farmers here in
Iowa and in Vermont and around the country, the environmental community, and the workers. I am sick and tired of trade agreements negotiated by the CEOs of large corporations behind doors.
Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus
Jan 14, 2020
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
Gary Bauer:
Europeans fight to protect their farmers; so should we
The politicians pulled another fast one. They said to farmers: We're going to put you more at risk in the international marketplace. But in exchange, we're going to fight to open up markets around the world. They did not keep their end of the
bargain. Europeans keep our beef out with this excuse about growth hormones. They keep Iowa corn out because of genetic engineering. European governments fight to protect their farmers. We need a government that will fight to protect American farmers.
Source: Des Moines Iowa GOP Debate
Dec 13, 1999
George W. Bush:
The fearful build walls; the confident demolish them.
I'll work to end tariffs and break down barriers everywhere, entirely, so the whole world trades in freedom. The fearful build walls. The confident demolish them. I am confident in American workers and farmers and producers. And I am confident that
America's best is the best in the world.
Source: Candidacy Announcement speech, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Jun 12, 1999
George W. Bush:
China in WTO is good for US farm exports
BAUER [to Bush]: I will stop allowing China to play us for suckers. We've given them Most Favored Nation status 10 years in a row. They dump their goods here. And Iowa farmers are selling less to China now than they did 10 years ago. The time of them
playing us for suckers will end in my presidency. BUSH: I'm glad you brought it up. You're not for China getting into the WTO. I am. And let me tell you something-the amount of corn that'll be moved if China gets in the WTO will rise from 250,000
metric tons, to 7.2 million metric tons. Opening up Chinese markets is good for our farmers.
BAUER: Governor Bush, here's your fallacy: You believe the Chinese government will keep their agreements. They haven't kept their agreements for 20 years.
BUSH: That's why we let them in the WTO. That's part of agreement keeping.
BAUER: That just gives them another agreement to break, Governor.
Source: (cross-ref. from Bauer) Des Moines Iowa GOP Debate
Dec 13, 1999
Howard Dean:
We need China trade as a national security issue
KUCINICH: I will cancel NAFTA and the WTO. We've lost over 3 million manufacturing jobs in this country. The president has the authority and power to cancel NAFTA and the WTO. Will you, Governor Dean? DEAN: I did not vote for NAFTA or the WTO,
because I have never served in Congress. But I did support China's entry into the WTO in 1999 because I believed it was an issue for national security. I believe in constructive engagement. That doesn't mean these agreements don't need to be changed.
We have stood up for multinational corporations in these agreements, but we have not stood up for workers' rights, environmental rights and human rights. And until we do, trade doesn't work.
GEPHARDT: Look, Howard, you were for NAFTA. You came to the
signing ceremony. You were for the China agreement. It's one thing to talk the talk, it's another thing to walk the walk. We've got to get labor and environment in these treaties, when the treaties are before the Congress. That's when it counts.
Source: Democratic 2004 Presidential Primary Debate in Iowa
Jan 4, 2004
Howard Dean:
We've globalized corporations; now globalize worker rights
Q: America's farmers need open markets for their crops around the world, but other American workers want a level playing field. How would you balance those interests? DEAN:
There's no reason we can't do both. NAFTA and the WTO only globalized the rights of multinational corporations, but they did not globalize the rights of workers. They are not going to globalize human rights, environmental rights, the right to organize.
That needs to happen. And if it doesn't happen, NAFTA and the WTO simply aren't going to work. Right now, we're exporting jobs.
We need to have a level playing field.
We need to have the same kinds of environmental protections, labor protections, human rights protections and worker protections if we're going to have open borders. That will not disadvantage exports.
Source: Democratic 2004 Presidential Primary Debate in Iowa
Jan 4, 2004
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
John Edwards:
Against NAFTA, against Chile trade, against Singapore trade
GEPHARDT: I got a trade treaty with Jordan that really paid attention to labor & environmental rights. The Gephardt amendment is in law in the country, and it got markets open, like in Japan, where we've had to face unfair trade practices. Now, everybody
up here, except Kucinich, voted for NAFTA and voted for the China agreement. They did the wrong thing. We need to bring up conditions in these other countries so that we work toward a global marketplace that works for everybody. You can't do that if you
give in to bad trade deals, like most of these candidates did. EDWARDS: I didn't vote for NAFTA. I campaigned against NAFTA. I voted against the Chilean trade agreement, against the Caribbean trade agreement, against the Singapore trade agreement,
against final passage of fast track for this president. Gephardt has sent out mailings attacking and identifying all of us and putting us in the same category.
GEPHARDT: Well, you weren't in Congress when NAFTA came up. But you voted for China.
Source: Democratic 2004 Presidential Primary Debate in Iowa
Jan 4, 2004
John Kerry:
Veto FTAA and CAFTA until they have stronger standards
Q: Your views on labor rights?KERRY: I have been fighting to have labor and environment standards in trade agreements. I worked to make sure we had it in the Jordan agreement and in the Vietnam side agreement. You didn't need it in Chile is because
they have high standards and they enforce them. The important thing is, I would not support the Free Trade of the Americas Act or the Central American Free Trade Act until they have stronger standards in them. If they sent them to my desk, I'd veto them.
Source: Democratic 2004 Presidential Primary Debate in Iowa
Jan 4, 2004
Joni Ernst:
Keep markets open to exports for Iowa goods
Growing Iowa's Economy: Joni will fight to continue to help Iowa's economy grow--meaning an influx of even more businesses to the state and a resulting increase in jobs. She believes that by ensuring markets remain open to exports for
Iowa goods and promoting innovation that makes Iowa more competitive in today's global marketplace, Iowa will continue its current upward economic and job growth trajectory.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, JoniForIowa.com, "Issues"
Sep 9, 2013
Joni Ernst:
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).
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA): "President Trump is making good on his promise to get deals done that will boost confidence, provide certainty and unleash optimism across farm country in Iowa and the rest of the U.S."
Source: White House press release "USMCA" in 2020 Iowa Senate race
Oct 2, 2018
Joseph Lieberman:
Avoid pro-business extremism and protectionist extremism
Q: Your views on worker rights in trade agreements? LIEBERMAN: We've got to reject the extremism of George Bush and the extremism of Democrats who would put back walls of protectionism. And what's the extremism of George Bush?
He just sits back and lets foreign countries break the rules of trade, rip off patents and copyrights, take American jobs, play with the currency. That's wrong. As president, I'm going to fight tough against that.
But we can't create jobs by building up walls of protectionism. I looked at the stats in Iowa. One-fifth of the manufacturing jobs in this state. By the number I saw, more than 100,000 are dependent on trade.
The top two and three markets for goods from Iowa, both agricultural-grown goods and manufactured -- Canada and Mexico, the countries we're in NAFTA with. You break NAFTA, you're going to cut out tens of thousands of jobs here in Iowa.
Source: Democratic 2004 Presidential Primary Debate in Iowa
Jan 4, 2004
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
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
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.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Iowa Governor candidate
May 13, 2018
Michael Franken:
Farmers want markets not bailouts; end foolish trade war
Mike will work to open markets and mobilize farmers to beat climate change--and benefit from it. Mike's signed over 22 international agreements in his career, and he knows that farmers want markets, not bailouts.
On day one, Mike will introduce legislation to end Donald Trump's foolish trade war. Doing so will reopen markets so farmers won't have to wait for a bailout while their soybeans rot in silos.
Source: 2020 Iowa Senate campaign website FrankenForIowa.org
May 27, 2020
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
Patty Judge:
Oppose TPP: I don't know that free trade is good for Iowa
Judge won't please every Iowa farmer. Today, she doesn't side with ag groups on issues like the Waters of the U.S. rule. While some believe the EPA should leave regulation to the states,
Judge says it will take both state and federal regulation to solve the problem.Judge tries to strike a conciliatory tone on trade, which tends to divide farmers and labor unions. "I believe we have to trade," she said.
But, she added, "I don't know that free trade is good for our country and good for Iowa and Iowa workers."
She said there were "too many questions" about the recent Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and she would vote against it if she had to vote today.
Source: Des Moines Register on 2016 Iowa Senate race
May 2, 2016
Pete Buttigieg:
I support USMCA, but focus on people over corporations
Q: Do you support the USMCA?BUTTIGIEG: Yes. When you sit down with people, they share how much harm has been done to them by trade wars. We can benefit consumers, workers and farmers by making sure we have the right kind of labor and enforceability,
as Democrats ensured we got in this USMCA. But let's acknowledge why there is frustration. I remember the '90s [government] selling trade deals, telling us, the pie will get so much bigger that everyone will be better off. That promise was broken.
Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus
Jan 14, 2020
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
Rod Blum:
Fast-track free trade to expand agricultural markets
I support expanding markets for Iowa's agricultural products and will fight for common sense free trade agreements that open up new markets for Iowa farmers. I also support measures like Fast Track Trade
Authority that help expedite the approval process for free trade agreements.I am proud to have been named a "Friend of Agriculture" by the Iowa Farm Bureau and am proud to support Iowa farmers and agricultural producers.
Source: 2014 Iowa House campaign website, RodBlum.com
Nov 4, 2014
Ron Paul:
Trade sanctions never worked on Cuba, and won't work on Iran
Q: You said about Iran: "Sanctions are not diplomacy; they are a precursor to war and an embarrassment to a country that pays lip service to free trade." A: Countries that you put sanctions on, you are more likely to fight them. I say a policy of peac
is free trade. Stay out of their internal business. Don't get involved in these wars. And just bring our troops home.
Q: So your policy towards Iran is, if they want to develop a nuclear weapon, that's their right, no sanctions?
A: No, that makes it
much worse. Why would that be so strange, if the Soviets and the Chinese have nuclear weapons? We tolerated the Soviets; we didn't attack them. And they were a much greater danger. You don't go to war against them. This whole idea of sanctions, all these
pretend free traders, they're the ones who put on these trade sanctions. This is why we still don't have trade relationships with Cuba. It's about time we talked to Cuba and stopped fighting these wars that are about 30 or 40 years old.
Source: Iowa Straw Poll 2011 GOP debate in Ames Iowa
Aug 11, 2011
Roxanne Conlin:
Stop helping big corporations ship jobs overseas
The days of bail outs for the big banks on Wall Street are over. We need a senator who will help small businesses in Iowa, not big corporations that ship jobs overseas. Fight for relief on
Main Street, not more bailouts for Wall Street. And preserve the jobs we have, while also creating new ones with a renewable energy revolution--in wind, solar, ethanol, and biomass.
Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, www.RoxanneForIowa, "Issues"
Jul 20, 2010
Steve Forbes:
Do free trade ourselves, without WTO
Q: Should be a part of the WTO? A: I believe we should, but I have no illusions about it. I've compared to the WTO to a wooly mammoth without the charm. The Uruguay Round took 13 years. This round's going to take probably 25 or 30 years.
I think we should take action on our own - for example, doing a North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement with Ireland and Britain. Bring in on the Pacific side Australia, New Zealand & other nations. Do it ourselves. We can't wait for the WTO. It's useless.
Source: Des Moines Iowa GOP Debate
Dec 13, 1999
Terry Branstad:
Letter to Obama: Pass trade agreements
With an increasingly competitive global economy, it is important for President Obama and Congress to enact the pending trade agreements. These agreements deserve bipartisan support, because trade is one of the best ways to grow our economy through
high-paying jobs for American workers and increased opportunities for American farmers, ranchers, and business owners. In the beef, pork and poultry industries alone, an estimated 5,000 new Iowa jobs would be created by these trade agreements.
Source: 2011 Iowa Gubernatorial press release
May 23, 2011
Theresa Greenfield:
Supports USMCA, expanding export opportunities
She understands the importance of trade in Iowa's economy, and supports the USMCA and the benefits it brings Iowa farmers and businesses.
With her small business experience, she is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and startups with issues like increasing access to capital, expanding export opportunities, and cutting through burdensome red tape.
Source: 2020 Iowa Senate campaign website GreenfieldForIowa.com
Jun 2, 2020
Theresa Greenfield:
Reckless trade policies have kept markets closed to farmers
We've seen increased farm bankruptcies and reckless trade policies that have kept markets closed to farmers, and net farm income in Iowa has drastically fallen.
We've got to commit to ending these irresponsible tariffs, unfair ethanol policies, and ensure we stand with our agricultural communities to pick up the pieces left in its wake.
Source: 2020 Iowa Senate campaign website GreenfieldForIowa.com
Jun 2, 2020
Theresa Greenfield:
Number one issue for farmers is regaining foreign markets
Greenfield worries about the pressures on farmers of a trade war that has obstructed their access to Chinese markets and the Trump administration's efforts to relax rules requiring oil refineries to use corn-based ethanol. "Rut right now,
honestly, the number one thing I hear from them is, 'We need our markets back,' so they can just start turning a profit and then can go on to have some of these other fights that they want to have."
Source: Huffington Post on 2020 Iowa Senate race
May 12, 2020
Tom Fiegen:
I am concerned about lopsided trade agreements
I am concerned about the downward economic spiral of working people, lopsided trade agreements, the ruthless big banksters aka gangsters like JPMorgan Chase, which dominate our economy and politics. I am equally concerned about the lack of access and
affordability of health care and prescription drugs for Americans, and the $1.2 trillion student loan debt which is preventing our young people from getting married, buying a home or starting a family.
Source: 2016 Iowa Senate campaign website, FiegenForUSSenate.com
Oct 9, 2015
Tom Steyer:
Undo Trump tariffs; negotiate trade deals for U.S. workers
Q: Even though farmers and manufacturers could see some relief from the China deal, they've been crushed by the current administration's trade war. What will you do as president to help them get back on their feet?STEYER: On the first day,
I would undo Mr. Trump's tariffs. On the first day, I would get rid of his waivers to oil refiners [regarding] not having to use corn-based ethanol.
Sen. Elizabeth WARREN:
These trade deals have been negotiated surrounded with giant multi-national corporation lobbyists who whisper in the ears of our negotiators and then get deals cut that are great for the giant multi-national corporations, not good for American workers.
STEYER: In fact, these trade deals have been exactly what Senator Sanders and Warren have been saying, which is that they've been designed to grow the American GDP for the corporations of America, not for the working people of America.
Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus
Jan 14, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023