Maine Congressman criticizes Ron Kirk to be US Trade Rep
Some anti-trade Congressmen are criticizing Ron Kirk to be USTR, calling him too pro-free trade.
Full Mike Michaud press release below the jump. Meanwhile, Ben Smith reports that Rep. Phil Hare is also criticizing the pick.
I am deeply concerned about the choice of Ron Kirk because his past trade policy positions do not reflect the views of most Americans. They also do not reflect the reform agenda that President Obama has pledged to an American public clamoring for a new direction on trade. An examination of his track record shows that Mr. Kirk has touted NAFTA as a success, called for its expansion and supported PNTR with China – policies that have facilitated the demise of many of our domestic manufacturers and accompanied the loss of four million U.S. manufacturing jobs. In contrast, Mr. Kirk’s vocal opposition to Fast Track during his 2002 U.S. Senate race is in synch with Congress’ views and President-elect Obama’s commitment to replace that Nixon-era negotiating and approval system with one that provides Congress a greater role to ensure trade pacts benefit most Americans.
While some of Mr. Kirk’s past trade positions do not reflect President-elect Obama’s promise to the American public that our nation’s approach to trade will be different than that of the current administration, the major shifts in Congress’ composition and President-elect Obama’s trade reform pledges set the context moving forward. With trade reform playing a historic role in the 2006 and 2008 congressional election, 71 Representatives and Senators who campaigned on major trade reform have replaced those who had supported NAFTA, China PNTR and other past failed policies.
Given his previous trade policy positions, considerable scrutiny will accompany high expectations that Mr. Kirk will deliver on President-elect Obama’s commitments to promote a new American trade agenda that serves the needs of working families, both here and abroad.
Posted by Evan @ 12/19/08 05:38 PM
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