The Economist: on Free Trade

Al Gore: Link trade to environment and labor

wants to “continue to knock down the barriers to free and fair trade” (make countries open their doors to American products)
supports linking trade agreements to labor and environmental standards
wants to obtain “fast-track” negotiating authority that includes power to negotiate labor and environmental standards
supports making the WTO more open and accountable.

Source: The Economist, “Issues 2000” Sep 30, 2000

George W. Bush: Don't link trade to environment and labor

supports restoration of "fast-track" negotiating authority for the president
opposes linking trade agreements to labor and environmental issues
supports the expansion of NAFTA throughout the Americas
supports the admission of China and Taiwan to the WTO
wants strict enforcement of anti-dumping and other laws against "unfair" trade
intends to revise export controls to tighten control over military technology and ease restrictions on commercial technology
wants to make international financial institutions more accountable and transparent
strongly supports free trade, saying that the case for it is "not just monetary but moral" and pledging to make the expansion of trade a consistent priority"

Source: The Economist, "Issues 2000" Sep 30, 2000

Marco Rubio: Bring back American car-manufacturing via high automation

Rubio's implication that Republicans have found no good answer to the problems Mr Trump describes: The president's scheme to revive the 1970s economy through protectionism and deregulation is unrealistic, as Mr Rubio--who these days dares not criticise Mr Trump--cannot help but acknowledge. "The future is going to happen," he says. "I have no problem with bringing back American car-manufacturing facilities, but, whether they're American robots or Mexican robots, they're going to be highly automated." Source: The Economist on 2020 presidential hopefuls Apr 26, 2018

Pat Buchanan: Reduce dependence on trade; support Monroe Doctrine

For Americans, Buchanan's book says, only America should matter. Buchanan rages against the UN, the WTO, and a previously unknown animal, "the managerial elites of the New World Order." Allies in South-East Asia and Europe must do their own fighting, and America must cut down its dependence on trade. The single pillar of American foreign policy should be the Monroe Doctrine; the country's priorities are to guard against "hostile bastions in this hemisphere" and to try yo keep immigrants out. Source: The Economist, p. 31 Oct 2, 1999

Steve Mnuchin: Protectionist instinct to label China a currency manipulator

One of Mnuchin's challenges will be to live up to Trump's promises on trade. Mnuchin is thought to share his boss's protectionist instincts. He will determine trade policy alongside Wilbur Ross, Trump's nominee for commerce secretary. Ross is a vocal critic of recent trade deals. At the commerce department, he will oversee trade enforcement, such as the imposition of tariffs. At the Treasury, Mnuchin will have such responsibilities as declaring China a currency manipulator. Source: The Economist newsmagazine coverage of 2016 Trump transition Dec 3, 2016

Wilbur Ross: Vocal critic of recent trade deals

Mnuchin will determine trade policy alongside Wilbur Ross, Trump's nominee for commerce secretary. Ross, a billionaire investor in bankrupt firms, is a vocal critic of recent trade deals. At the commerce department, he will oversee trade enforcement, such as the imposition of tariffs. At the Treasury, Mnuchin will have such responsibilities as declaring China a currency manipulator. Source: The Economist newsmagazine coverage of 2016 Trump transition Dec 3, 2016

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles in The Economist magazine. Click here for definitions & background information on Free Trade. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2024 Presidential contenders on Free Trade:*
	*Candidates for President & Vice-President:* V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA) Chase Oliver(L-GA) Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA) Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL) Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH) Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN) Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)	*2024 presidential primary contenders:* Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE) N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R) N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R) Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R) S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R) Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R) Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN) Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH) S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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