Posted on 10/13/2007 8:28:25 AM PDT by ckilmer
Bush: Protectionism will cost U.S. jobs
By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 10 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Alarmed by slipping support for free trade even among Republicans, President Bush is arguing that protectionism will cut Americans out of chances for more — and better — jobs.
Bush has launched a blitz on behalf of pending free trade pacts with four nations. He continued the push Saturday in his weekly radio address.
"More exports support better and higher-paying jobs," the president said. "And to keep our economy expanding, we need to keep expanding trade."
His radio address followed a speech on trade he delivered Friday in Miami. Bush also granted interviews this week to business-oriented news organizations.
Since Democrats took control of Congress in January, it has not approved any free trade agreements that the administration has negotiated, and it has allowed Bush's authority to negotiate future deals under expedited procedures to expire.
Before lawmakers now are agreements with Peru and Panama, considered likely to pass, and with Colombia and South Korea, both seen as precarious. The deal with Colombia is in trouble over human rights issues and there is strong opposition to the South Korea agreement because of barriers erected by Seoul to keep out U.S. autos and beef.
The administration already has reached agreement with Democrats to include tougher language on protecting worker rights and the environment. But critics say five consecutive years of record U.S. trade deficits have played a major role in the loss of more than 3 million manufacturing jobs since Bush took office in 2001.
"I know many Americans feel uneasy about new competition and worry that trade will cost jobs," Bush said. "So the federal government is providing substantial funding for trade adjustment assistance that helps Americans make the transition from one job to the next. We are working to improve federal job-training programs. And we are providing strong support for America's community colleges, where people of any age can go to learn new skills for a better, high-paying career."
He said the deals would level the playing field for American businesses and farmers, many of which now face high tariffs on exported products while other countries enjoy relatively open access to U.S. markets. And he argued that freer trade with allies serves "America's security and moral interests" around the globe.
"Expanding trade will help our economy grow," Bush said. "So I call on Congress to act quickly and get these agreements to my desk."
After spending Friday in Florida talking trade and raising money for the Republican Party, Bush flew to Texas for a weekend stay at his ranch. He travels Monday to Rogers, Ark., for a speech on the budget and to Memphis to raise money to help Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., in his re-election bid. The president returns to Washington Monday evening.
free trade as bush uses it is a red herring.
Thanks for the warning. He sounded somewhat coherent this morning.
Math is hard. LOL!
You are an idiot.
Activist and engaged thinking is the only thing that works.
LOL?! You still did not address my question. You either did not read my question or you are indeed a moron.
Thank God, you are not in the Financial markets.
I will keep my own consul which has made me very comfortable indded, while you smoke out the gems on your little computer.
LOL!
Wow, parity is right around the corner. LOL!
The Dems tell us this everyday.
... more protectionism for US jobs...yada yada.
Well yes. But it was the Labor Dept or USTR that, "crossed thier hearts and hoped to die" that manufacturing job loss wasn't all that bad. That displaced workers could find a job in the IMPORT sector, or transporting all that IMPORTED goods. Yeah, thats one way for a superpower display economics.
“Math is hard. LOL! “
Its a good thing we have smart guy’s who were good at math that allowed there to be CDO’s and CDE’s that nearly collapsed the financial system. Go read Nassim Taleb!
Actually, the arguments for free trade are often too simplistic and ignore other relevant realities.
If I buy a fan made in China for $20, with similar US fans costing $30, but the Chinese fan only lasts 1 year rather than 3 years for the US fan, then I have *lost* value.
Holy thread necro, Batman.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.