CWT Blog

The Republican Presidential Candidates on Trade

Posted by Consumers for World Trade Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:35:00 GMT

December 20, 2007 - The Republican primary ballot offers no shortage of possibilities for the undecided voter. However, several candidates show distinct potential for gaining their party’s nomination and they are: Rudy Giuliani; Mike Huckabee; Mitt Romney; John McCain; and Fred Thompson. Given these candidate’s conservative ideological underpinnings, it is not surprising that all support free trade to some extent. A closer examination, though, shows differences on the extent and nature of their support.

Giuliani:

Rudy Giuliani has been a vocal advocate for free trade while campaigning. Asked at a debate whether free trade benefited America, Giuliani responded, “Well, I think we're on a verge of going in one direction or another. I mean, for example, you want to get specific, the four trade deals with Peru, Colombia, Panama, South Korea that are in front of Congress right now, which the Democrats are trying to block, would be good deals for the United States.” Moreover, Giuliani’s “12 Commitments” plan calls for vigorously advancing free trade through tax and regulatory reform, in addition to renewal of the fast track authority and reinvigorating the Doha Round of WTO talks.

Huckabee:

Mike Huckabee has said that he supports free trade, ”as long as it is fair trade.” Neither his website nor previous statements offer much more clarity on his position, or to the priority that trade measures would receive in a Huckabee administration. During a recent televised debate, Huckabee stated that, “if somebody in the presidency doesn’t begin to understand that we can’t have free trade if it’s not fair trade, we’re going to continually see people who have worked for 20 and 30 years for companies one day walk in and get the pink slip and told ‘I’m sorry but everything you spent your life working for is no longer here.’”

Romney:

Mitt Romney has expressed support for free trade in terms of both economic and foreign policy. With regard to the former, Romney explained his stance at a recent debate, saying, “Well, I believe in trade, but I believe in opening up markets to American goods and services… I want to make sure that the American worker gets a fair shake. We need to make sure that the Chinese begin to float their currency and they protect our designs and our patents and our technology. We need to make sure that the American workers don't have to carry the burden of extra taxes as we sell our products around the world.” Romney also believes that free trade is a means of strengthening relationships with allies, especially in Latin America, and supports proposed and passed FTAs with countries of this region.

McCain:

John McCain has been a supporter of free trade in both his campaign statements and his voting record. According to his website, McCain believes in the benefits of opening up both foreign and domestic markets to competition, and is in favor of an increased Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. In response to a question on the benefits of free trade, McCain stated that, “it sounds like a lot of fun to bash Chinese and others, but free trade has been the engine of our economy in the last half of this year; it will continue to be. And free trade should be the continuing principle that guides this nation's economy.”

Thompson:

Fred Thompson boasts a pro-free trade voting record from his time in the U.S. Senate. He voted in favor of normalizing trade relations with China and Vietnam, establishing the Andean Trade Preference agreement, as well as for renewing the President’s fast-track authority. Thompson has also been an advocate for free trade on the campaign trail, saying at a recent debate that, “free and fair trade as been good for America; responsible for millions of jobs in this country. We cannot turn our back on that…But in terms of turning our back on free trade, that's not the direction to go in. It's meant too much for our country. And every country in the history in the world that's ever turned its back on free trade has suffered for it as a consequence.”