Remember Seattle: Mixed Signals Are Bad for Trade (Zoellick)

Wall Street Journal ^ | October 5, 2004 | ROBERT B. ZOELLICK

[OESY]

...Even after nearly two decades in the Senate, John Kerry is uncertain whether he is for or against TPA, even though it must be renewed early next year. Instead, Mr. Kerry wants a long study that would conveniently extend months beyond when this hard-fought authority is due to expire....

Mr. Kerry's vacillation on trade extends further. His campaign has signaled the abandonment of America's successful drive for Free Trade Agreements. The Bush administration has completed FTAs... that also include enforceable commitments on labor and environmental laws, combined with aid programs that help developing countries improve conditions cooperatively -- contradicting Mr. Kerry's excuse for jettisoning FTAs.

[I]ntegrating trade and foreign policy must be part of America's strategy to reduce poverty, open markets and minds, and support democracy. But Mr. Kerry opposes free and enforceable trade with poor Central Americans. He has backtracked on free trade that he once supported within North America....

The rest of Mr. Kerry's trade policy amounts to little more than additional litigation in the WTO. In contrast, the administration has focused its enforcement work on achieving commercial results, not just counting lawsuits.... While Mr. Kerry calls for more cases, he undermines his own argument by saying the U.S. should not comply with unfavorable rulings.

Mr. Kerry's attacks on "Benedict Arnold CEOs" who do business abroad suggest he either does not grasp the workings of the global economy or is being duplicitous to curry favor with economic isolationists.... More open markets for trade and investment create opportunities by lowering costs, increasing productivity, adding to families' standard of living, connecting more businesses together, and enlarging America's influence. Attacks on business across borders and calls for raising barriers reflect a defeatism that would cripple America's vitality....

[OESY]

Mr. Zoellick is the U.S. trade representative.

[Alberta's Child]

Dear Mr. Zoellick:

While your criticism of Mr. Kerry for sending "mixed signals" on free trade is right on target, I would suggest that the U.S. began sending these mixed signals back in 2001 when the Bush Administration imposed a tariff on Canadian softwood lumber -- a blatant violation of both NAFTA and GATT. For the U.S. to impose this tariff in the first place, and keep it in place even to this day -- despite losing this case every time it is brought before an international trade dispute board -- is the height of arrogance and hypocrisy.

"Free trade," my @ss.

Sincerely,

Alberta's Child