Editorial/Op-ed Coverage
Editorials
"Hundreds of Occupied Jobs," The Oregonian, December 13, 2011It's not exactly what the Occupy movement hoped to accomplish by picketing West Coast ports, but the protesters produced a clear demonstration of how strongly Oregon's economy is linked to international trade and drew attention to how many family-wage jobs lie at the water's edge of this state.
"Trade News Gives Boost to State's Ag Industry," Yakima (WA) Herald-Republic, October 28, 2011News out of Washington, D.C., isn't always good for farmers, but a couple of developments earlier this month actually will make life easier for Yakima Valley growers and the people who depend on them for jobs. Both were long in coming. On Oct. 12, Congress ended a four-year drought in approving new trade partnerships as it ratified free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. Two days later, a Mexican trucking firm received a permit to deliver goods inside the United States.
"Free Trade Deal is Good News for Alabama," Mobile Press-Register, October 18, 2011There are three reasons why Mobile should be heartened by Congress’ approval of free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. For one thing, the votes provide evidence that bipartisanship is still possible in rancorous Washington. Next, many new jobs could be created at a time when America needs them the most. And third, free trade is good business for port cities, especially Mobile.
"A Bipartisan Triumph," Wall Street Journal, October 17, 2011"...Wednesday night, the GOP carried the three free-trade agreements through Congress that the President wanted and that will help growth, business expansion and hiring."
"The Right Route on Trade," Los Angeles Times, October 17, 2011After years of partisan wrangling that has blocked Congress from taking major steps to boost the flagging economy, Republicans and Democrats finally found something they could agree on last week when they approved long-stalled free-trade agreements with Panama, South Korea and Colombia. It's a big victory for the Obama administration, the U.S. economy (which is expected to benefit from the pacts to the tune of $12 billion a year added to the gross domestic product) and for Congress itself, whose reputation as a do-nothing pack of squabblers has caused its approval ratings to plummet.
Op-Eds
"Free Trade is a Victory for All Sides," South Florida Sun Sentinel, October 30, 2011ere are almost 50 million South Koreans. Compared to the rest of the world, they are well-educated and wealthy. Now they can purchase American products more cheaply, which means they will be buying more of them. That will be happening because of the recent passage of free-trade agreements between the United States and South Korea, Colombia and Panama.
"Reid Ribble Column: Bipartisan Trade Agreements all about Jobs," Appleton (WI) Post Crescent, October 29, 2011The free trade agreements with Columbia, Panama and South Korea that swiftly passed with bipartisan support represented the largest trade expansion in decades. Members of both parties praised the passage of these agreements, including President Barack Obama, who declared it "was a major win for American workers and businesses." I couldn't agree more.
"Trade Agreements Should Boost Exports Here," Savannah Morning News, October 28, 2011“Passage of the free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia will have a direct impact on Georgia’s ports and the state’s important agricultural sector,” said GPA executive director Curtis J. Foltz. “The improved access to the Republic of Korea’s $1 trillion economy and 49 million consumers alone will drive increased demand for U.S. exports — most of which will become duty-free immediately — helping to drive economic recovery through international trade.”
"Free Trade Can Lift Labor Standards Abroad," New York Times, October 27, 2011The passage this month of free trade agreements may be a victory not only for President Obama, but also for workers in Colombia, Panama and South Korea. Although the anticipated economic consequences of these agreements are small, these pacts also offer a mechanism for improving workers’ rights in partner countries.
"Free Trade is a Great Deal for Iowa," Waterloo Cedar Valley Courier, October 23, 2011Pending free-trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea probably didn't generate a lot of thought among Cedar Valley businesses, but they should. These are potentially big deals precisely because of Iowa's reliance on two areas of keen interest in all of those countries: agriculture and manufacturing.
