State of Maryland Archives: on Free Trade
Arvin Vohra:
Make trade with countries, not war
I want this country to be prosperous. I want this country to make trade with countries, not war. I want Americans to live without guilt, knowing their money cannot be spent on bombing hospitals and schools. And I want to bring our troops home.
I want this country to be strong and safe. And so, if elected, I will sponsor legislation to end U.S. involvement in foreign wars, bring our troops home, and return all that tax money to you.
Source: 2018 Maryland Senatorial campaign website VoteVohra.com
Feb 22, 2018
Arvin Vohra:
Eliminate all tariffs, sanctions, & trade restrictions
Q: Do you support or oppose free trade?A: Strongly support. If elected, I will sponsor legislation to eliminate all tariffs, sanctions, & trade restrictions. I want North Korean businesses to learn about American culture and spread that knowledge in
North Korea, so that the people there see something better than the communism they currently face. I want them to see the wonders created by free market capitalism. I want to spread American culture through trade, not waste effort on sanctions and war.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Senate candidate
Mar 30, 2018
Chris Chaffee:
If you see "Made in China," put it down
We must have strong leadership to end the war in Ukraine stop
Iran's nuclear threat and tell China enough is enough. If you see made in China put it down .
Source: Facebook posting on 2022 Maryland Senate race
Jul 25, 2022
Chris Van Hollen:
I oppose TPP; but look at each trade deal individually
On trade, Edwards said that there were "differences in our records." While both oppose an Asia trade agreement currently under negotiation, Edwards has consistently opposed free-trade agreements;
Van Hollen has not. He said he looks at each trade deal individually before deciding whether it will help or hurt U.S. workers.
Source: Wash. Post coverage of 2016 Maryland Senate debate
Mar 5, 2015
Chris Van Hollen:
Counter illegal trade practices of China and others
American leadership and engagement in the world are vital for our own security and to counter the rising tide of authoritarianism we see around the globe. Chris believes a strong, inclusive American economy is a critical backbone of effective leadership
abroad. He has been working to advance our economic interests at home, counter illegal trade practices of China and others, end foreign influence in our elections, and promote human rights and democracy.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
Ian Schlakman:
Don't expand free trade
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade"?
A: Strongly oppose
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate
Aug 21, 2018
Jamie Raskin:
Support only free trade deals that are fair and balanced
Jamie will support only free trade deals that are fair and balanced, that address foreign currency manipulation and repressive employment practices,
that have strong environmental and labor protections which cannot be undercut, and that are accompanied by investment in training and education for workers adversely affected.
Source: 2016 Maryland House campaign website JamieRaskin.com
Nov 8, 2016
Kathy Szeliga:
Support TPP to expand free trade with Pacific nations
Q: Do you support the Trans-Pacific Partnership? Have free trade deals generally been good for the U.S.?Szeliga: The Maryland economy relies on trade. The idea of expanding free trade with nations in the Pacific would produce more jobs and improve
our economy. Additionally, nations that trade with each other are less likely to enter military conflicts. In any free trade agreements, we must ensure the agreement will benefit the American economy.
Source: Baltimore Sun Voter Guide on 2016 Maryland Senate race
Sep 9, 2016
Margaret Flowers:
Movement against corporate rigged trade agreements like TPP
As it did in the early 20th century, capitalism itself is failing once again, especially this late stage predatory capitalism with its corrupt financial market domination. It's time for a new system.What should the movement do?
A movement sprang up out of the last collapse, the Occupy Movement, has since grown and dispersed into other areas where people are organizing around issues like debt, especially student debt, home foreclosures, banking regulation and livable wages.
The Black Lives Matter movement, which is primarily focused on police violence, also understands the racially unfair economy. And, the movement against corporate rigged trade agreements like the TPP has united movements and shown people how
economics impacts everything from food, water and the environment to labor and banking regulation to the Internet and more. We are all connected.
Source: 2016 Maryland Senate campaign website FlowersForSenate.org
Feb 3, 2016
Richard Madaleno:
Preference for American-made goods in state procurement
OnTheIssues Q: what are your views on Free Trade issues?-
Supports preference for American-made goods in state procurement
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate
Jun 1, 2018
Sam Faddis:
Let's revise our trade deals and bring our jobs back home
Q: What are the three main issues facing the voters in the State of Maryland that you intend to address and how? Faddis: Jobs, the economy, and healthcare. Government shall create the conditions under which economic growth can occur and jobs
can be created. Let's renegotiate trade deals that have driven jobs abroad. We should not be fighting over raising the minimum wage. We should be creating jobs that pay a real living wage, one on which you can build a future.
Source: Special Forces News on 2018 Maryland Senate race
May 31, 2017
Shawn Quinn:
Support & expand free trade
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade"?
A: Support
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate
May 13, 2018
Bill Haggerty:
We have to make in America what is now being made in China
I went to the launch of the new Cadillac, which is made in Springhill, Tennessee and I looked out in the field. there are cars just lined up in the field, waiting for a chip or waiting for a piece that unfortunately had to pipe its way through
China and the supply chain. American companies are waking up right now and I applaud that. We have to bring supply chain's home. We have to make in America what is now being made in China. We need to accelerate that process.
Source: Speech at the 2023 CPAC Conference in Maryland
Mar 2, 2023
JD Vance:
GOP used to be okay with trade deals with China; not anymore
Even going back 20-30 years ago, the Republican Party was ok with trade deals and negotiations with China that destroyed the manufacturing base that, by the way, hollowed out our ability to make our
own weapons on the national security side and destroyed a lot of good middle-class jobs in state that I came from. We are not doing that anymore. we are the pro-America party, not the pro-China party.
Source: Speech at the 2023 CPAC Conference in Maryland
Mar 2, 2023
Vivek Ramaswamy:
Ban American companies from doing business with China
Mr. Ramaswamy proposed banning American companies from doing business with China if he is elected as the president of the country in 2024. "The Declaration of Independence of today is our declaration of independence from China.
If Thomas Jefferson were alive today, that is the Declaration of Independence he would sign. That is the Declaration of Independence I will sign if I am elected as your next president," Mr. Ramaswamy, 37, said.
Source: Speech at the 2023 CPAC Conference in Maryland
Mar 5, 2023
Donald Trump:
Plan to phase out all Chinese imports of essential goods
I will revoke China's most favorite nations trade status. I will have a four-year plan to phase out all Chinese imports of essential goods and gain total independence from China.
We have to do it. We have to do it. I will hold China financially accountable for unleashing the China virus upon the world.
Source: Speech at the 2023 CPAC Conference in Maryland
Mar 4, 2023
Angela Alsobrooks:
Invest in future economy to compete around the globe
Economy : Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?- Angela Alsobrooks (D): Increase. Supports "critical investments into our future economy to ensure businesses
[can] compete with companies around the globe." Advocates for "investing in humans": "When I think about true economic opportunity, I think about things like a child tax credit."
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Larry Hogan (R): Mixed. "Instead of more reckless government spending, our plan demands real fiscal responsibility."
As governor, "eliminated or rewrote thousands of job-killing regulations." In 2021 asked Congress to speed up approval of infrastructure projects.
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Maryland Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Wes Moore:
Tariffs are a tool; they're not an ideology
We're already seeing the impacts of these disastrous and frankly not very well thought out policies when it comes to tariffs. You know, tariffs are a tool. They're not an ideology. But this administration is using it like an ideology.
And so, while these decisions are being made - made not with us, they're being made to us, we're already seeing how this is going to have a significant impact on the Port of Baltimore.
Source: CBS Face the Nation 2025 on 2026 Maryland Governor race
Mar 16, 2025
Wes Moore:
Trump's tariffs: an unnecessary and self-imposed trade war
[On tariffs]: "This is deeply problematic what we are seeing with this unnecessary and self-imposed trade war," Moore said. "I think this is having this deep and disastrous impact on, not just the business community, but on the price and cost
of goods that everyday Marylanders are feeling, whether you are going to the grocery store or whether you are getting your prescription drugs."
Source: CBS News, "Tariffs," on 2026 Maryland Gubernatorial race
Mar 6, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026