Trade (March 2010)

Almost exactly one year ago, I was confirmed by the Senate as the United States Trade Representative. 

Even as we slowly recover from one of the worst recessions in recent memory, our nation’s unemployment rate stands at around 10 percent, with some economists saying some of these lost jobs will never come back. The question is, How do we respond as a nation — how do we generate new jobs to replace those that are lost forever? I believe that a strong, job-creating trade agenda — opening markets around the globe to U.S. products and services — is part of the answer. 

President Barack Obama says he is eager to create new jobs, and time and again he has spoken to the importance of trade. 

This week U.S. representatives traveled to Melbourne, Australia to proceed with negotiations on a Trans-Pacific Partnership, declaring that they wanted to craft a 21st century agreement that will create a “new paradigm on trade.” I applaud the pursuit of a new paradigm on trade and have urged United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk to seize this opportunity to develop a U.S. trade policy that all members of Congress can support and that benefits all Americans, in blue-collar and white-collar jobs alike.

Last week in a speech before the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s Annual Conference, President Barack Obama made impassioned remarks about the vital role of trade in growing economic opportunity and international cooperation. I share his support for this vital principle, as do members of both political parties in Congress. However, many critics insist on perpetuating a misperception that could actually serve as a barrier to living up to that principle.