Pres. Carter's State of the Union speeches: on Free Trade

Fair and balanced agreements lowering the barriers to trade

Economic success at home is the key to success in our international economic policy. An effective energy program, strong investment and productivity, and controlled inflation will [improve] our trade balance and balance it, and it will help to protect the integrity of the dollar overseas.

By working closely with our friends abroad, we can promote the economic health of the whole world, with fair and balanced agreements lowering the barriers to trade.

Despite the inevitable pressures that build up when the world economy suffers from high unemployment, we must firmly resist the demands for self-defeating protectionism. But free trade must also be fair trade. And I am determined to protect American industry and American workers against foreign trade practices which are unfair or illegal.