Saving Capitalism, by Robert Reich: on Free Trade

Robert Reich: Free trade isn't opposite of protectionism; it's political

The conventional view equating "free trade" with the "free market," in contrast to government "protectionism," is misguided. "Free trade" agreements entail complex negotiations about how different market systems are to be integrated. The most important aspects of such negotiations concern items such as intellectual property, finance, and labor. Within these negotiations, the interests of large corporations--to fully protect the value of their intellectual property and financial assets--time and time again trump the interests of average working Americans to protect the value of their labor. (A personal confession: When I was secretary of labor in the Clinton administration, I argued against NAFTA within the confines of the administration but did not air my concerns publicly, believing I could do more good remaining inside than resigning in protest over this and bringing China into the World Trade Organization. In subsequent years I have often wondered whether I made the right choice.) Source: Saving Capitalism, by Robert Reich, p.124 May 3, 2016

The above quotations are from Saving Capitalism For the Many, Not the Few by Robert B. Reich. Click here for definitions & background information on Free Trade. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by Robert Reich on Free Trade. Click here for more quotes by John Boehner on Free Trade.
*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Pence(R-IN) ~~Gov.Mark Sanford~~ (R-SC) Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY) Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL) Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY) *2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:* Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA) Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC) Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK) Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)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)
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Page last updated: May 03, 2021