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Kristi Noem on Free Trade

Republican Governor (S.D.)

 


We've never been treated fairly by China on trade

I served on the Ways and Means Committee when I was in Congress, and that's the committee that does all tax policy, all trade policy. Many times, when we talk about trade and trade with other countries, and especially with China, we talk about free and fair trade. Unfortunately, we've gotten a lot of free trade. We've never been treated fairly by China, not once they have manipulated their regulations and hit us at their borders with regulations that take more money out of Americans' pockets.
Source: Meet the Press interview on 2024 Republican Veepstakes , Jun 23, 2024

Supports trade deal with Mexico/Canada

Noem said in a statement that the USMCA would "increase potential for global trade while giving producers the stability to grow, invest, and create more jobs in South Dakota" in a time when "farmers and ranchers need added market opportunities and certainty."
Source: South Dakota gubernatorial press release in AgWeek , Jun 20, 2019

China trade wars makes low soybean prices & hurts farmers

Speaking at Politico's State Solutions Conference, Gov. Kristi Noem said, "South Dakota has been devastated by the trade wars that are going on, and agriculture is our No. 1 industry by far. When we aren't able to export our soybeans to the Asia-Pacific region, when we're struggling with commodity prices, that's impacting not just those farmers who are on the ground but every Main Street business, everybody who has another entity out there that relies on those successful ag industries."

Noem said she's spoken to Trump administration officials and she's consistently advocated for wrapping up trade discussions. The White House is aware South Dakota farmers have previously had soybean shipments unfairly rejected by China, Noem said. "I think the administration is trying to rectify some of that," she said. "The problem is this has gone on now for a long period of time." Sustained, low commodity prices are "driving a lot of family businesses out of business," she added.

Source: RouteFifty.com blog on 2020 South Dakota Senate race , Jul 9, 2018

Rated 50% by the USAE, indicating a mixed record on trade.

Noem scores 50% by USA*Engage on trade issues

Ratings by USA*Engage indicate support for trade engagement or trade sanctions. The organization`s self-description: `USA*Engage is concerned about the proliferation of unilateral foreign policy sanctions at the federal, state and local level. Despite the fact that broad trade-based unilateral sanctions rarely achieve our foreign policy goals, they continue to have political appeal. Unilateral sanctions give the impression that the United States is `doing something,` while American workers, farmers and businesses absorb the costs.`

VoteMatch scoring for the USA*Engage ratings is as follows :

Source: USA*Engage 2011-2012 ratings on Congress and politicians 2012-USAE on Dec 31, 2012

Other governors on Free Trade: Kristi Noem on other issues:
SD Gubernatorial:
Billie Sutton
Jamie R. Smith
Steven Haugaard
SD Senatorial:
Daniel Ahlers
John Thune
Scyller Borglum
Gubernatorial races 2025:
New Jersey Governor:
    Democratic primary June 10, 2025:
  • Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present)
  • Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present)
  • Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017)
  • Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4.
  • Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022)

    Republican primary June 10, 2025:
  • Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022)
  • Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election
  • Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew

Virginia Governor:
    Democratic primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4.
  • Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.)

    Republican primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election
  • Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot
  • Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent
  • Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited
Mayoral races 2025:
NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:
  • Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council
  • Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate).
  • Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4.
    Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4:
  • Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent
  • Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney
  • Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels

Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)
    Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2:
  • Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education
  • Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025)
  • Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997)
  • Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004)
  • James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017)
  • Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023)

Oakland CA Mayor
    Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025:
  • Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025)
  • Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election
  • Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024
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