Candidates upbeat on free trade, Congress may attack WTO, China
By Staff -- Purchasing, 2/10/2000
WASHINGTON--Despite the violent protests and setbacks to a new round of world trade talks in Seattle, the four leading presidential primary candidates have staked out fairly strong positions in favor of free trade. Although the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Ministerial Meeting in Seattle was widely reported as a failure and some deadlines for implementing past agreements were left hanging, the top WTO official, Mike Moore, says suspension of talks is not a new phenomenon in trade negotiating rounds. Informal consultations will continue, he says, to "bridge the remaining areas in which consensus does not yet exist."Among the toughest issues left on the table, according to expert observers, are inclusion of environmental and labor standards and reduction of agricultural subsidies, particularly in the European Union. Past trade agreements for which implementation deadlines passed without action in Seattle include those regarding intellectual property and certain investment measures.
Among the four leading presidential candidates, only George W. Bush has been vocal in his criticism of the Clinton Administration's part in the collapse of the Seattle talks. That may change, however, and some Congressional committees are ready to attack the Administration's stance insisting on inclusion of environmental and labor standards in future WTO agreements, according to Republican sources on the Hill. This opportunity may come if the president renews his pledge to seek "fast-track" authority for submitting future trade agreements to Congress for approval. To precipitate a debate and formal vote, it will take only one member of Congress to object to automatic renewal of U.S. membership in the WTO. Debate could also be heated over extending most-favored-nation (MFN) trading status to China.
Presidential candidates Bill Bradley, Al Gore, John McCain and George W. Bush have all staked out positions favoring free trade, fast-track authority for the president, and continued work through the WTO to achieve international agreements for more open markets. All the candidates agree that the U.S. must maintain its leadership in the global economy and reinforce current prosperity through openness and fair international competition rather than through use of protectionist measures.
In tone, style and emphasis, however, the candidates differ on how the United States should deal with specific issues such as China and the insertion of environmental, human, rights and labor standards into trade talk agendas. Here's a brief summary of the four candidates' positions on trade prior to the first primaries:
- Al Gore. Pro-"fast-track," wants to elevate environmental and labor issues and favors making WTO more open and accountable. "I strongly believe that our president needs authority to reach new trade agreements to open new markets to our goods and services. But as your president, I also will insist on workers' rights...and human rights." On information technology: "We must fight to keep the Internet a global free trading zone. And work to significantly reduce tariffs on more information technology products."
- Bill Bradley. Would counter short-run job losses and other effects of trade liberalization by ensuring the security of all Americans in the areas of health, interim-assistance and opportunities for upgrading their skills and education. Like Gore, he favors inclusion of labor rights and environmental concerns in WTO negotiations. In arguing for more public participation in the WTO, he advocates "allowing for environmental friend-of-the court briefs" as a means for more public participation in WTO trade dispute settlement mechanisms.
- George W. Bush. Says he'll "work to end tariffs and break down barriers everywhere, entirely, so the whole world trades in freedom," expressing confidence in the ability of American workers, farmers and producers to compete. Bush has strongly criticized the Clinton administration's trade policy, however. While agreeing that China should be granted membership in the WTO and most favored nation status, he would redefine the current "strategic partnership" policy: "Work with China, but as a competitor, not a partner."
- John McCain. Describes himself as an "ardent free trader," says fast-track authority is "imperative," and goes along with the Administration's "engagement" policy with China. He favors using the WTO for enforcing trade agreements. "When our trading partners do not meet their obligations, as the European Union has done concerning American agricultural goods, then we should use the WTO to apply as much pressure as possible." Like Gore, he favors "making permanent the international moratorium on customs duties relating to electronic commerce."
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