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Mike Beebe on Free Trade

Democratic Governor

 


Cuba's interest in AR exports is good for the state

I led a trade and economic development mission to Cuba. Arkansas has a history of exporting rice, poultry, textiles, and cereal products to Cuba. We traveled to Cuba to explore the ways Arkansas can improve and expand trade relations with this island nation that lies a mere 90 miles off the coast of Florida. After meeting with Cuba's trade minister and foreign affairs representatives, I'm convinced that Cuba wants to encourage American tourism and trade.
Source: Arkansas 2009 gubernatorial press release #1797 , Aug 7, 2009

Reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank.

Beebe signed Letter on Ex-Im Bank

Press release on Letter from 31 Governors to House Republican leaders:

We urge you to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) before its charter expires this year. In its role as the official export credit agency, Ex-Im is a vital export finance tool for exporters in our states, at no cost to American taxpayers.

Ex-Im allows our companies and workers to compete on a level playing field against our competitors. Without Ex-Im financing, US firms would have lost many sales campaigns to their overseas competitors.

Reauthorizing Ex-Im is the right thing to do for our economy, companies and workers. 41 GOP lawmakers and 865 business organizations have called for the charter's immediate renewal. And, House Democrats have already introduced legislation to reauthorize the bank. Speaker Boehner, it's time to act; quit jeopardizing the nation's economy and American jobs.

Argument in opposition from FreedomWorks:

    Top Ten Reasons to Let the Export-Import Bank Expire
  1. It Has Outlived Its Purpose: In the 2010s, US exports have been setting record highs--they don't need government help.
  2. It Lets Government Pick Winners and Losers
  3. Its Risky Loans Put it in Danger of Needing Taxpayer Bailouts
  4. It Costs Taxpayers Money Annually, thanks to government accounting gimmicks
  5. Most of Its Funding Goes to Big Corporations Who Don't Need the Money
  6. It Lets Foreign Corporations Undercut US Competitors
  7. It Only Benefits a Few States, but Every State Bears the Costs
  8. It Is Prone to Corruption (like whenever you involve the government in handing out money)
  9. There Are Better Ways to Help US. Manufacturers: the government should lower and simplify the tax and regulatory burden US companies face.
  10. It Is Unnecessary. The Ex-Im Bank cannot justify its continued existence. It's also one of the easiest programs to retire, as its authorization expires in September 2014 if Congress simply does nothing.
    Source: Letter from 31 Governors 14_Lt_ExIm on Jul 15, 2014

    Other candidates on Free Trade: Mike Beebe on other issues:
    AR Gubernatorial:
    Asa Hutchinson
    Frank Gilbert
    Mike Huckabee
    Mike Ross
    Tim Griffin
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    Page last updated: Sep 01, 2017