Growing anti-Chinese sentiment is gripping the Democrats that control Congress as Charles Rangel, D-NY Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Sander Levin, D-Mich Trade Subcommittee Chairman, may introduce a protectionist bill, next month in order to fashion a broader package of trade enforcement tools. Politico.com January 16, 2008American Global Competitiveness Depends on Free Trade Accords, Consumer Electronics Association, President Gary Shapiro, told members at a meeting last week in Las Vegas, "Our industry growth remains strong and the momentum will continue...projecting sales will top $171 Billion Dollars in 2008 up 6% over 2007..." Investors.com January 8, 2008
Today the average American home has 25 consumer electronic devices, your cell phone, PDA, computers, HDTV, GPS, DVR and MP3 player---imagine a day without these devices that we as consumers have come to depend upon and like being able to purchase at affordable prices. "A vibrant free market that encourages trade in innovative goods and services...innovation can be slowed, products can be priced out of reach, competition can be choked and services can be restricted...Congress and even Presidential candidates advocating protectionism for America's woes...isolationism is gaining favor...is a dangerous and disturbing trend. If followed will lead to economic disaster" said Mr. Shapiro.
Many Democrats running for President, including GOP hopeful Mike Huckabee, have campaigned on a protectionist strategy, promising voters tough trade negotiations. Former Senator John Edwards, D-NC said, "We need trade without trade-offs" saying that if he is elected President that he will put regular families ahead of the interests of multi-national corporations." Speaking August 6, 2007 at a Union hall meeting in Iowa.
Hillary Clinton, D-NY told members of the AFL-CIO last year that she, "...believes in smart trade..." Her Senate record is however mixed as she often times will pander to whatever audience she is addressing. While Senator Clinton has voted against several trade deals, including the 2005 Central American Free Trade Agreement, she has voted for trade pacts with Chile, Singapore and Australia.
"Democratic candidates calling for America to reverse course on NAFTA or undermine existing deals, shows how little they understand about economic opportunities, open markets are vital to American prosperity" said Governor Mitt Romney. Both Rudy Giuliani and John McCain also call themselves Free Traders.
Since 1965 the share of imports in the U.S. economy has nearly quadrupled, countries bought $220 Billion Dollars of consumer goods from the United States in 2006 continued innovation, development of technology, techniques will continue to spawn more investment in U.S. markets keeping American companies and their workers competitive.
U.S. Gross Domestic Product since 1993 has grown from $7.1 Trillion Dollars to $13.3 Trillion Dollars and the percentage of GDP has grown from 12.9% to 13.6%. Since normal trade relations were established with China in 2000, the value of U.S. marketing exports has risen from $667 Billion Dollars to $853 Billion Dollars.
We live in a global economy and trade is vital for continued expansion, growth and economic development, providing greater access to world markets and products which in turn provides jobs and security for all families in our worldwide neighborhood.
