State of Missouri Archives: on Free Trade

Lucas Kunce: Reliance on Chinese manufacturing is dangerous

America is completely dependent on Chinese manufacturing for everything, essential things like medicine, electronics, and military components. The scope of what we are currently incapable of doing is astonishing. According to recent congressional hearings on the impact of tariffs, among other things, we cannot print our own Bibles, manufacture rifle scopes, or even make the special ink to print U.S. dollars without Chinese assistance. It is as embarrassing as it is dangerous. Source: The American Prospect on 2022 Missouri Senate race Dec 9, 2020

Lucas Kunce: Transfer costs of offshoring to China to corporations

Raise the private cost of offshoring or selling out to China to reflect the true cost of the assets being sold or offshored. The goal here is to transfer external costs from our national ledger onto the companies' balance sheets. We could do this by closing loopholes that allow them to convert national risk into private profit or transfer the fruits of national resources like basic research, infrastructure, or education to adversaries like China for private profit. Source: The American Prospect on 2022 Missouri Senate race Dec 9, 2020

Josh Hawley: Calls for abolishing the World Trade Organization

Citing its role in weakening the American economy while boosting Communist China's, Josh Hawley blasted Utopian globalist visions of a "New World Order" and called for abolishing the World Trade Organization. Writing in an op-ed, Hawley pushed for drastic reforms of the global economic system and a return to economic sovereignty. In place of the existing architecture of global governance, the freshman senator from Missouri urged "free nations" to come together and create new "trade deals." Source: The New American on 2018 Missouri Senate race May 6, 2020

Mike Parson: Missouri shouldn't rely on other countries & other states

On free trade: "Never again will I be dependent totally on foreign countries or companies outside of the state of Missouri," Parson said. "We've got too many opportunities in this state, too many good people, and next time we're going to be prepared with our own state companies to take care of Missourians and not be dependent on other states and other countries to meet our needs." Source: Bolivar Herald-Free Press on 2020 Missouri governor race Apr 17, 2020

Mike Parson: Credits Trump for ending Japan restrictions on US beef

Gov. Mike Parson (R-MO): "Japan ended longstanding trade restrictions on US beef. This is more proof trade takes patience and a tough negotiator. HUGE step forward for our cattle farmers and ranchers, because Missouri is a top 10 beef producer."
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO): "The U.S., Canada, & Mexico agreed to lift all Sec. 232 steel & aluminum tariffs, including retaliatory tariffs! This is a huge relief for agriculture as our North American allies are some of our largest markets. I hope this propels momentum for my colleagues to pass USMCA."

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO): "Today's announcement by the Trump administration is a significant move in the right direction. Lifting these tariffs will help ensure we have an economy that continues creating jobs and building things in our state--from bass boats and beer cans to airplanes and pickup trucks." Source: White House press release on 2020 Missouri governor race May 21, 2019

Roy Blunt: Lifting tariffs is a move in the right direction

Gov. Mike Parson (R-MO): "Japan ended longstanding trade restrictions on US beef. This is more proof trade takes patience and a tough negotiator. HUGE step forward for our cattle farmers and ranchers, because Missouri is a top 10 beef producer."
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO): "The U.S., Canada, & Mexico agreed to lift all Sec. 232 steel & aluminum tariffs, including retaliatory tariffs! This is a huge relief for agriculture as our North American allies are some of our largest markets. I hope this propels momentum for my colleagues to pass USMCA."

Claire McCaskill: Opposes Trump's tariffs on China

Q:Support President Trump's tariffs on Chinese steel and other products?

Josh Hawley (R): Supports approach but worried about farmers, so wants to see the deal.

Claire McCaskill (D): Opposes.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Missouri Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Josh Hawley: Supports Trump's tariffs on China, but what about farmers?

Q:Support President Trump's tariffs on Chinese steel and other products?

Josh Hawley (R): Supports approach but worried about farmers, so wants to see the deal.

Claire McCaskill (D): Opposes.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Missouri Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Mike Parson: Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA

The USMCA is a new trade pact among the US, Mexico and Canada, intended as a stronger and modernized replacement for NAFTA.

Gov. Mike Parson (R-MO): "Despite skeptics saying NAFTA could never be fixed, President Trump has continued to deliver on promises made to bring about bold and necessary reforms for our economy. The USMCA trade deal is a positive move for our farmers and for the first time provides support for 21st century innovations in agriculture and biotechnology."

Source: White House press release in 2020 Missouri Governor's race Oct 2, 2018

Josh Hawley: China systematically abuses the global trade system

Higher 25% levies imposed by China on American soybean and pork exports could depress demand for pork produced in Missouri. The Chinese government has announced $50 billion in tariffs on more than 100 US goods, part of an escalating battle over trade between Beijing and Washington. And some observers say the potential for economic upheaval could affect pivotal political races later in 2018--like the race for one of Missouri's US Senate seats.

In a statement, Hawley sounded notes similar to messages he posted on Twitter in early March. He noted that most of the US's trade partners "follow the same rules we do," but "one in particular doesn't: China."

"China systematically abuses the global trade system and we should respond firmly to defend American workers," Hawley continued. "One of my top concerns is to ensure there is no retaliation against our agricultural community--including Missouri farmers--and that we are not punishing trade partners who do follow the rules in the process."

Source: Springfield News-Leader on 2018 Missouri Senate race Apr 5, 2018

Austin Petersen: Free trade is what America is about

I buy local, and I buy American. I do that as a way to support my local economy, and this is what I would encourage Americans to do. I'm willing to pay a little bit more for an American-made vehicle because that's what I believe in. However, I am not going to talk down to someone, who is poorer than I am, and require him to pay more to buy American. People ought to have the freedom to trade. That's what America is all about: that the government can't tell me who I can or can't buy from. Source: Merion West interview on 2018 Missouri Senatorial race Nov 17, 2017

Jason Kander: Let farmers sell to Cuba: a billion dollar industry

Jason said, "Agriculture is the driving force of our state's economy. Because Congress repealed the law ensuring that Americans know where our food comes from, Missourians now don't know whether the food on their tables comes from Missouri. Not only is this taking money out of farmers' and ranchers' pockets, it's misleading consumers. I don't know why Senator Blunt supported that change or why he doesn't believe Missouri farmers and ranchers should be allowed to sell their goods to Cuba, but these actions are putting Missouri agribusinesses at an unnecessary disadvantage in the global marketplace."

Jason spoke about how Congress used the enormous omnibus spending bill late last year to sneak in the special-interest driven repeal of country-of- origin labeling requirement. He also pointed out that while Sen. Blunt purports to be a free trade advocate, he doesn't believe Missouri farmers and ranchers should be able to sell their products to Cuba even though it could be a billion dollar industry.

Source: 2016 Missouri Senate campaign website JasonKander.com Jul 19, 2016

Lester Turilli: Too often, we are short-changed on international trade

Q: Your comments on the statement, "Support and expand free trade"?

A: Trade should not place our country and economy at a disadvantage. I believe in free trade.ÿ Countries who trade with the USA should maintain a balanced approach to keeping theÿagreementÿfair to bothÿsides.ÿ Too often, the United States of America, is being short-changed on international trade.

Source: Email interview on 2016 Missouri candidacy by OnTheIssues Apr 25, 2016

Jason Kander: Trans-Pacific Partnership should not be fast-tracked

As Congress considers what is being called the country's largest trade deal in a generation, Kander is using the debate over the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal to draw distance between himself and the its supporters, like Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican Sen. Roy Blunt.

The Senate passed the bill by a 62-37 vote; Kander's campaign pointed to a report which noted $77,9000 in campaign contributions from members of a business coalition backing the Trans-Pacific Partnership to Blunt. "It is clear that Senator Blunt's vote is for sale to the highest bidder," said Kander's campaign manager. "Jason opposed fast tracking TPP because, unlike Senator Blunt, he believes a trade deal this big should get a full vetting from Congress instead of giving the President special power to negotiate on his own," the campaign manager said. "Missourians deserve a senator like Jason who will stand up to special interests and the President when Missouri jobs are on the line."

Source: PoliticMo.com coverage of 2016 Missouri Senate race May 27, 2015

Roy Blunt: Supports presidential Trade Promotion Authority

America's economic security and national security are closely related. Commercial markets overseas support millions of American jobs and promote American values. Roy believes in creating American jobs through trade and investment around the world.

Granting Trade Promotion Authority to the president was a top priority for Roy. Spearheading "listening groups" with his colleagues, Roy worked to communicate the importance of allowing the president to negotiate trade deals with foreign countries to open up new markets to American goods and services, creating new jobs for working Americans.

Source: Vote-USA.org on 2010 Missouri Senate incumbents Nov 23, 2010

The above quotations are from State of Missouri Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Free Trade. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2020 Presidential contenders on Free Trade:*
	*Democrats running for President:* Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO) V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE) Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC) Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT) Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ) Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Rep.John Delaney (D-MD) Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA) Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT) CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA) Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Marianne Williamson (D-CA) CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY) *2020 Third Party Candidates:* Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI) CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Howie Hawkins (G-NY) ~~Gov.Gary Johnson~~(L-NM) ~~Howard Schultz~~(I-WA) Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)	*Republicans running for President:* ~~Sen.Ted Cruz~~(R-TX) ~~Gov.Larry Hogan~~ (R-MD) ~~Gov.John Kasich~~(R-OH) V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) ~~Gov.Mark Sanford~~ (R-SC) Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY) Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL) Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY) *2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:* Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA) Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC) Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK) Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO) Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA) Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL) Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA) Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX) Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA) Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA) Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021