The Associated Press: on Free Trade
Mike Pence:
Favors free trade, but not tariff dodging from China
Pence asked U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman to look into U.S. Steel's allegations, including that Chinese steelmakers dodge tariffs by misrepresenting what country the steel comes from.
The (Munster) Times reports that U.S. Steel has filed a trade case that could result in a ban on all Chinese imports deemed unfairly traded. Pence says he favors free trade but he called U.S. Steel's allegations against China serious.
Source: Associated Press on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jan 15, 2014
Mike Pence:
Favors free trade, but not tariff dodging from China
Pence asked U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman to look into U.S. Steel's allegations, including that Chinese steelmakers dodge tariffs by misrepresenting what country the steel comes from.
The (Munster) Times reports that U.S. Steel has filed a trade case that could result in a ban on all Chinese imports deemed unfairly traded. Pence says he favors free trade but he called U.S. Steel's allegations against China serious.
Source: Associated Press on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jan 15, 2014
David Dewhurst:
Cruz defended Chinese on intellectual property theft
The greatest tension in the debate was between Dewhurst and Cruz, who exchanged veiled and some not-so-veiled attacks on each other. Dewhurst accused Cruz of distorting his nine-year record as lieutenant governor, while
Cruz called Dewhurst a flat-out liar over his campaign commercial's attacking Cruz's work for a Chinese tire company.
Moderators asked Cruz about his legal work for a Chinese tire company in its appeal against a $26 million judgment that it had stolen intellectual property from an American tire company.
Cruz said he was one of several attorneys on the case and that he had represented American companies against Chinese firms as well.
Source: Associated Press/ABC News on 2012 Senate AdWatch
May 3, 2012
Ted Cruz:
Defended Chinese company on intellectual property theft
Cruz's record came under scrutiny when moderators from Houston public radio's KUHF asked him about his legal work for a Chinese tire company in its appeal against a $26 million judgment that it had stolen intellectual property from an
American tire company. Cruz said he was one of several attorneys on the case and that he had represented American companies against Chinese firms as well.
Source: Associated Press on ABC News on 2012 Texas Senate debate
May 3, 2012
Ted Cruz:
Dewhurst lying about defending Chinese intellectual property
The greatest tension in the debate was between Dewhurst and Cruz, who exchanged veiled and some not-so-veiled attacks on each other. Dewhurst accused Cruz of distorting his nine-year record as lieutenant governor, while
Cruz called Dewhurst a flat-out liar over his campaign commercial's attacking Cruz's work for a Chinese tire company.
Moderators asked Cruz about his legal work for a Chinese tire company in its appeal against a $26 million judgment that it had stolen intellectual property from an American tire company.
Cruz said he was one of several attorneys on the case and that he had represented American companies against Chinese firms as well.
Source: Associated Press/ABC News on 2012 Senate AdWatch
May 3, 2012
Elizabeth Dole:
CAFTA has created jobs for North Carolina
Kay Hagan slammed her rival for backing free trade agreements despite concerns about North Carolina jobs. Hagan released papers that question why her opponent, Sen. Elizabeth Dole, would support pacts such as CAFTA. Critics say the agreement accelerated
the decline of North Carolina’s manufacturing and textile industries. CAFTA supporters, however, say it does the opposite. Dole helped approve the CAFTA agreement in 2005, arguing the pact would remove tariffs in other countries and bring
North Carolina products to a new marketplace. She said sectors such as agriculture and pharmaceuticals would benefit. Dole also said it would benefit the textile industry because American fabric would be used in Central America, and her office said the
region became the second largest market for North Carolina manufacturing, agriculture and textile products in 2006, with more than $1.8 billion in exports. Dole’s office also said she has secured $57 million for U.S. Customs to enforce textile trade.
Source: By Mike Baker, Associated Press, on WRAL
Jul 25, 2008
Kay Hagan:
Fix trade agreements to avoid job loss
Kay Hagan slammed her rival for backing free trade agreements despite concerns about North Carolina jobs. But the Democratic challenger called for fixing--not removing--such agreements. Hagan unveiled her trade policies, [focusing on] unemployment and
trade policy.Hagan released papers that question why her opponent, Sen. Elizabeth Dole, would support pacts such as the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Critics say the North American partner of the agreement accelerated the decline of
North Carolina’s manufacturing and textile industries.
CAFTA supporters, however, say it does the opposite. Dole helped approve the CAFTA agreement in 2005, arguing the pact would remove tariffs in other countries and bring
North Carolina products to a new marketplace. She said sectors such as agriculture and pharmaceuticals would benefit. Dole also said it would benefit the textile industry because American fabric would be used in Central America.
Source: By Mike Baker, Associated Press, on WRAL
Jul 25, 2008
Kay Hagan:
Would have voted against CAFTA due to labor concerns
Hagan’s trade policy doesn’t call for the removal of CAFTA or NAFTA. Instead, Hagan wants to modify the pacts so they include enforceable labor and environmental standards to hold other countries accountable and to prevent companies from moving their
operations to places without controls. And she wants the Department of Justice to have the authority to enforce trade agreements.“When done right, trade opens up nations to new products, new opportunities, and new ideas,”
Hagan wrote in introducing her plan. Her campaign said she would have voted against CAFTA as it is written.
Hagan also wants to increase government funding for research and development and increase access to technology in rural parts of the country.
She would also expand tuition tax credits to improve education. Hagan’s plan does not detail how she would pay for the programs.
Source: By Mike Baker, Associated Press, on WRAL
Jul 25, 2008
Matt Blunt:
Negotiate with European businesses for more Missouri exports
Gov. Matt Blunt is headed for Europe next week to meet with business leaders in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy and the United Kingdom. The state exported $10.5 billion worth of goods in 2005, up 16% from the previous year.
Nine of the top 10 export products increased over that period. The leading gainers were agricultural products with a 49 percent increase, food products at 37 percent and fabricated metal products at 29 percent.
Source: Chris Blank in Associated Press
Mar 8, 2006
Al Sharpton:
Labor standards should not cost American workers jobs
Q: Should the US seek more free or liberalized trade agreements?A: I think that we should seek to revoke NAFTA and have trade agreements only where labor standards are fair and would not cost American workers jobs.
These free trade agreements are not proven to help in the nations abroad in terms of securing rights for laborers and they certainly have cost American workers jobs.
Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Trade”
Jan 25, 2004
Dennis Kucinich:
Free trade encourages privatization, so avoid it
Q: Should the US seek more free or liberalized trade agreements?A: No, and my first act in office will be to repeal the existing ones. NAFTA has spurred a $418 billion trade deficit, costing 525,000 jobs, most of them in manufacturing.
The World Trade Organization forced our president to lift steel tariffs, which will cost us more good jobs and hurt consumers. The Free Trade Agreement of the Americas would encourage the privatization of municipal services, including water.
Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Trade”
Jan 25, 2004
Howard Dean:
Enforceable & enforced labor and environmental standards
Q: Should the US seek more free or liberalized trade agreements?A: I want strong, enforceable trade agreements and a trade system bound by clear, continually improving rules.
I will push for solid, enforceable labor and environmental standards in all existing and future trade agreements. I will vigorously enforce the agreements we enter into and defend U.S. trade laws when our competitors challenge them.
Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Trade”
Jan 25, 2004
John Edwards:
Require labor and environmental standards plus right-to-know
Q: Should the US seek more free or liberalized trade agreements?A: I believe we need trade that works for America and the world,
and have outlined a new approach to trade agreements that will protect American jobs and require labor and environmental standards in trade agreements.
My approach would also establish an international ‘right to know,’ so that consumers know if corporations have moved jobs overseas or engage in abusive environmental and labor standards.
I would also take aggressive measures to make sure foreign markets are open to US goods and include strong environmental and labor standards in all trade deals.
Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Trade”
Jan 25, 2004
John Kerry:
All new trade must include labor and environmental standards
Q: Should the US seek more free or liberalized trade agreements?A: I support free trade, but I don’t support what the Bush administration calls free trade. I will order an immediate 120-day review of all trade agreements to ensure that our trading
partners are living up to their labor and environment obligations and that trade agreements are enforceable and are balanced for America’s workers. I won’t sign any new trade agreements unless they contain strong labor and environmental standards.
Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Trade”
Jan 25, 2004
Joseph Lieberman:
Free AND fair trade, with labor and environmental standards
Q: Should the US seek more free or liberalized trade agreements?A: As president, I’ll work to reverse the Bush manufacturing recession, break down trade barriers and open up new markets for American goods, and fight for free and fair trade.
I will negotiate for fair labor and environmental standards in treaties. And when countries like China rip off our patents and products, exploit workers, and manipulate their currency, I will hold them accountable.
Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Trade”
Jan 25, 2004
Wesley Clark:
Free AND fair trade, with labor and environmental standards
Q: Should the US seek more free or liberalized trade agreements?A: I will seek trade that is free and fair. Free trade has the potential to raise living standards. I would insist that all nations play by the rules while promoting trade.
I also believe that we should review all of our existing trade agreements to ensure that our trading partners are opening their markets to US products. I believe that labor and environmental standards must be central elements of all new trade agreements.
Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Trade”
Jan 25, 2004
Howard Dean:
WTO should care about human rights
Human rights was among the chief concerns surrounding China’s entrance into the World Trade Organization in Dec. 2001. The WTO is going to have to care about more than just economic transactions. They’re going to have to care about human rights.
Source: Ken Thomas, Associated Press, in Naples Daily News
Feb 26, 2003
Al Gore:
More Latin American trade, with labor & enviro protections
Q: Would you pursue a hemispheric trade deal extending the benefits of NAFTA to Central and South America and the Caribbean? A: I am committed to enhancing our alliance and expanding trade with the
countries of Latin America. Trade has been an important part of our economic expansion and creates high-paying jobs. As president, I will build on the work that the administration began when the U.S. hosted the
first Summit of the Americas to promote hemispheric cooperation on a full spectrum of political, economic, security, and social issues. As we expand our trade agreements, we can achieve more based on what we
have learned in the past seven years. I will insist that labor and environmental protections are included as part of future trade agreements.
Source: Associated Press
Oct 31, 2000
George W. Bush:
Add Chile, Brazil, Argentina, & others to NAFTA
Q: Would you pursue a hemispheric trade deal extending the benefits of NAFTA to Central and South America and the Caribbean? A: My administration will foster democracy and level barriers to trade. If elected, my goal will be
free trade agreements with all the nations of Latin America. We can do so in cooperation with our NAFTA partners. We should also do so with Chile, and Brazil and Argentina, the anchor states of Mercosur. We will also work toward free trade with the
smaller nations of Central America and the Caribbean. We must be flexible because one-size-fits-all negotiations are not always the answer. But the ultimate goal will remain constant, free trade from
northernmost Canada to the tip of Cape Horn. In the near term, we will renew trade preferences with the Andean nations - enacted in 1991, and set to expire next year.
Source: Associated Press
Oct 31, 2000
George W. Bush:
Fast Track in west; WTO in east
Bush said he would seek “fast-track” negotiating status from Congress to expand free trade in the Western Hemisphere: “I will work to create an entire hemisphere in free trade,” he said. “I will work to extend the benefits of NAFTA from the northernmost
Alaska to the tip of Cape Horn.” He said he wanted to build on NAFTA to bring other countries throughout Latin America Meanwhile, the Bush campaign distributed a policy statement that said he supports admission of China and Taiwan to the WTO.
Source: Kelley Shannon, Associated Press, in L.A. Times
Apr 24, 2000
Al Gore:
Open Europe & Japan to genetically-modified farm products
Gore talked tough on farm policies, demanding that foreign markets be opened to genetically modified commodities. Europe and Japan resist those products.
“We can’t let Europe and Japan determine our farm policy,” said Gore, who said “sound science” should govern.
Source: Associated Press in the Brockton (MA) Enterprise, p. A7
Jan 9, 2000
Donald Trump:
World views US trade officials as ‘saps’
Trump said that US trade officials are viewed as “saps” around the world and have allowed the country to be ripped off in trade agreements. He called NAFTA a disaster and said leaders of other countries “can’t believe how easy it is to deal with the US.”
He continued, “We are known as a bunch of saps. We need our best people to negotiate against the Japanese and many other countries.” As president, he would get the nation’s top business leaders - not diplomats - to negotiate for the country.
Source: Pat Eaton-Robb, Associated Press
Dec 2, 1999
Dan Quayle:
China not ready for WTO; engage them & change them
Quayle said China is not ready to enter the World Trade Organization because it has not fully established the rule of law - those rules and regulations that assure investors that their interests can be protected legally. The US should continue to develop
trade with China, but with an eye toward encouraging political and social change, he said. “Our goal should always be not just to engage China but to change China,” he said.
Source: Michael White, Associated Press
Jul 24, 1999
Pat Buchanan:
Tariffs on wheat imports to equalize costs & protect farms
“Slapping a tariff on imported wheat would help deter foreign sales in the United States at a time when American farmers are not covering their own costs,” Buchanan said. He advocates a tariff on imported farm commodities to equalize the price with US
production costs. The revenue could be used to cut taxes, he said. “When the price of wheat falls below the cost of production, why are you importing wheat? That simply kills your family farms.”
Source: Associated Press
Jun 18, 1999
Page last updated: Feb 15, 2019