Bob Smith on Free Trade

Republican Sr Senator (NH; retired 2002)

Expand free trade

Q: Do you support or oppose expanding free trade?

A: Support.

Source: Email interview on 2010 Senate race with OnTheIssues.org Mar 4, 2010

No trade rewards to oppressive regimes like China

There will be no trade rewards to oppressive regimes like Communist China that continue to violate basic human rights and target US Cities with their missiles. Source: www.SmithForPresident.org/ “Annoucement Speech” Jun 14, 1999

No trade rewards to oppressive regimes like China

Against NAFTA, GATT, & WTO

Smith does not support NAFTA.
Smith does not support broadening NAFTA to include other countries.
Smith does not support GATT.
Smith does not support the WTO.

Source: 1996 National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1996

Retaliatory tariffs OK against Cuba, China

Smith does not support lifting the trade embargo imposed against Cuba.
Smith does support imposing tariffs on products imported from nations that maintain restrictive trade barriers on American products.
Smith does support considering a nation’s human rights record affect its MFN trading status with the United States.

Source: (X-ref Foreign policy) Project Vote Smart NPAT 1996 Jul 2, 1996

Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations.

HR3009 Fast Track Trade Authority bill: To extend the Andean Trade Preference Act, to grant additional trade benefits under that Act, and for other purposes. Vote to pass a bill that would enlarge duty-free status to particular products from Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, renew the president's fast-track authority and reauthorize and increase a program to make accessible retraining and relocation assistance to U.S. workers hurt by trade agreements. It would also approve a five-year extension of Generalized System of Preferences and produce a refundable 70 percent tax credit for health insurance costs for displaced workers. Reference: Bill HR.3009 ; vote number 2002-130 on May 23, 2002

Voted NO on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam.

Vote to grant annual normal trade relations status to Vietnam. The resolution would allow Vietnamese imports to receive the same tariffs as those of other U.S. trading partners. Reference: Bill HJRES51 ; vote number 2001-291 on Oct 3, 2001

Voted NO on removing common goods from national security export rules.

Vote to provide the president the authority to control the export of sensitive dual-use items for national security purposes. The bill would eliminate restrictions on the export of technology that is readily available in foreign markets. Reference: Bill S149 ; vote number 2001-275 on Sep 6, 2001

Voted NO on permanent normal trade relations with China.

Vote to give permanent Normal Trade Relations [NTR] status to China. Currently, NTR status for China is debated and voted on annually. Reference: Bill HR.4444 ; vote number 2000-251 on Sep 19, 2000

Voted NO on expanding trade to the third world.

Vote to expand trade with more than 70 countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. The countries would be required to meet certain eligibility requirements in protecting freedoms of expression and associatio Reference: Bill HR.434 ; vote number 2000-98 on May 11, 2000

Voted NO on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority.

Vote to proceed to the bill which establishes negotiating objectives for trade agreements, and renews 'fast track' trade authority for the President, which allows Congress to adopt or to reject a proposed trade agreement, but not to amend it. Reference: Bill S 1269 ; vote number 1997-294 on Nov 5, 1997

Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market.

Resolution supporting sanctions on Japanese products if car parts markets don't open up; and seeking sharp reductions in the trade imbalances in car sales and parts through elimination of restrictive Japanese market-closing practices. Reference: Bill S Res 118 ; vote number 1995-158 on May 9, 1995

Voted YES on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements.

Vote to establish negotiating objectives for trade agreements between the United States and foreign countries and renew 'fast track' authority for the President. Reference: Bill introduced by Archer, R-TX.; Bill HR 2621 ; vote number 1998-466 on Sep 25, 1998

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Page last updated: Nov 26, 2010