Conservatives: ‘Trade Is Good For America’

Reagan: ‘The Freer The Flow Of World Trade, The Stronger The Tides For Human Progress’

REAGAN: ‘Free And Open Markets … Produce More Jobs’
PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: “I, like you, recognize the inescapable conclusion that all of history has taught: The freer the flow of world trade, the stronger the tides for human progress and peace among nations. I certainly don't have to explain the benefits of free and open markets to you. They produce more jobs, a more productive use of our nation's resources, more rapid innovation, and a higher standard of living. They strengthen our national security because our economy, the bedrock of our defense, is stronger. I'm pleased that the United States has played the critical role of ensuring and promoting an open trading system since World War II. And I know that if we ever faltered in the defense and promotion of the worldwide free trading system, that system will collapse, to the detriment of all. … Our commitment to free trade is undiminished. We will vigorously pursue our policy of promoting free and open markets in this country and around the world.” (President Reagan, Remarks, 9/23/1985)

• REAGAN: “It comes down to this: Every time countries any place in the world have taken a step together toward freer trade, the results were just what was expected -- more productive and competitive economies, more jobs, and greater benefits for the citizens of each country. All the nations of the world face this same question -- move forward or turn back? And I believe that there's something in the human soul -- a spirit of hope, a yearning for a brighter future for one's children, a prayer for peace -- that will finally, after much hesitation perhaps, propel all of us forward. It'll give us the courage to face the future, to turn to the morning light, and, as our forefathers did for us, to build a better world for our children and their children and generations to come.” (President Reagan, Remarks, 11/17/1988)

‘World Craves U.S. Leadership On Trade’
JIM DEMINT, Heritage Foundation President: “Finally, the world craves U.S. leadership on trade. Trade deals are more than economic bargains. They are politically vital symbols that demonstrate American ties to their region are strengthening, rather than atrophying.” ("World To Washington: 'Is Anybody Listening?'," The Heritage Foundation, 2/3/2015)

• EDWIN FEULNER, Former Heritage President: “Formerly known as fast-track authority, TPA … would accelerate the implementation of trade agreements and enhance U.S. credibility by assuring foreign countries that there will not be counterproductive amendments to deals they negotiate with the President.” (“Time To Give President Bush Trade Promotion Authority,” Heritage Foundation, 11/2/01)

DAVID MCINTOSH, Club For Growth President: “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already outlined two such policies—tax reform and trade—where the GOP can make a real difference. Members of the Club for Growth wholeheartedly support these efforts.” (“Uniting Behind a Pro-Growth Agenda,” Wall Street Journal, 1/14/15)

• “There is bipartisan consensus that Congress should pass trade-promotion authority, or TPA, to facilitate passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” (“Uniting Behind a Pro-Growth Agenda,” Wall Street Journal, 1/14/15)

DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKIN, American Action Forum President: “[Trade Promotion Authority] is an essential part of modern trade negotiations because the Constitution gives Congress authority to regulate international trade.  In order to negotiate effectively, TPA provides the executive branch the ability to consult extensively with Congress during negotiations, but assures that agreements will get an up-or-down vote without amendment or modification.  Every president should have TPA because trade agreements are important.  Trade allows access to the 80 percent of purchasing power and 95 percent of the world consumers that are outside U.S. borders.  They level the playing field for U.S. exporters, 97 percent of which are small businesses (who are responsible for nearly one-third of exports).  In this way, TPA is pro-growth and pro-jobs.” (“The Daily Dish,” American Action Forum, 12/2/13)

• HOLTZ-EAKIN: “The U.S. should not bury its economic head in 20th century sand.  It should aggressively negotiate agreements that give U.S. firms access to the 95 percent of world consumers that lie outside U.S. borders. Every president should have TPA.” (“The Daily Dish,” American Action Forum, 1/30/14)

DEREK SCISSORS, American Enterprise Institute: “This bill gives equal time to accountability, with much of the text devoted to how the president must consult Congress throughout the negotiation process.  Even better, it requires the administration to inform the public. Negotiating objectives must be made public during the process and the treaty itself must be public for 60 days before the president can sign it.” (“Trade Promotion Authority, finally,” AEI, 4/17/2015)

AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM: “The House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee have reached agreement on a very important building block to make progress on the free trade front. It is known as ‘Trade Promotion Authority,’ and Americans for Tax Reform urges all Members and Senators to support the initiative.” (“Congress Should Enact Trade Promotion Authority (TPA),” Americans For Tax Reform, 4/17/15)

• ATR: “Why is TPA needed? TPA is extremely important to have if any further progress is going to be made on free trade. The executive branch must have the ability to tell negotiators from other countries that what is hammered out at the table is not going to be endangered by legislative shenanigans back home. … If we want more trade among nations (which results in markets opening up abroad and better value for goods and services here at home), we have to lower tariffs. The way we lower tariffs (taxes on trade) is by enacting free trade agreements. The way to enact free trade agreements is to enact TPA.” (“Congress Should Enact Trade Promotion Authority (TPA),” Americans For Tax Reform, 4/17/15)

CATO INSTITUTE: “Trade Promotion Authority has been maligned as a congressional capitulation or executive power grab.  It is neither. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the authority to ‘regulate commerce with foreign nations’ and to ‘lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises’ and grants the president power to make treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate… Without such a compact, trade agreements would be nearly impossible to conclude because foreign negotiators – knowing that any agreement reached would be subject to congressional revisions – would never put their best offers on the table.” (“Bridging the Hatch-Wyden Divide Over Trade Promotion Authority, Cato Institute, 4/15/15)

‘We Simply Can’t Get The Best Deals Without TPA’
SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): “‘So I emphatically support the TPA. I support the TPP. I think we need to be opening markets everywhere,’ he said, also calling himself ‘an emphatic advocate for free trade.’ Cruz noted that nearly one in five jobs in his state depend on exports — a total of about 2.2 million jobs.” (“Cruz Offers Hearty Endorsement Of TPA; Graham Demands Currency Rules,” Politico Pro, 3/7/2015)

SEN. JOHN THUNE (R-SD): “Last week’s announcement that members of Congress have reached a bipartisan deal on trade promotion authority, a key tool for negotiating free trade agreements, was good news for American workers and for American farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs. The free trade agreements the United States has negotiated in the past have been a boon for our economy, spurring growth and expansion and opening new markets for American goods.” (“Put American Products On A Level Playing Field,” U.S. News, 4/20/15)

SEN. JEFF FLAKE (R-AZ): “To the benefit of U.S. producers and consumers alike, today's introduction of bipartisan legislation renewing trade promotion authority is a positive step toward reducing trade barriers and increasing economic growth in the U.S. and abroad.” (Sen. Jeff Flake, Press Release, 4/16/15)

REP. PAUL RYAN (R-WI): “‘Trade is good for America,’ he said. ‘People have legitimate gripes with the global economy. But let’s be sure we’ve grabbed the right culprit.’” ("Ryan Launches Trade Agenda," The Hill, 2/8/2015)

• “‘We simply can’t get the best deals without TPA,’ Ryan said Thursday. ‘That’s why we’ve got to pass it as soon as possible.’” ("Ryan Launches Trade Agenda," The Hill, 2/8/2015)

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