James M. Jeffords: “I firmly believe that free and fair economic relations between nations will accrue to the benefit of all parties. Our…”

“I firmly believe that free and fair economic relations between nations will accrue to the benefit of all parties. Our country was founded on the principle that all States would benefit from the free flow of commerce between equal parties. And our national economy has proved this to be true. These same dynamics now operate on a global scale. Commerce can now reach around the globe with ease. Communications are instantaneous, even in the most isolated places. Our trading laws must keep pace with the emerging patterns. We must move to shape the emerging global marketplace into a productive and fair system--not sit back and condemn its advances and decry the loss of old economic structures. We can either be in the lead of this evolution, or we will be sidelined by it. I believe that America can and must exert leadership. One way we must assert leadership is by the negotiation of trade agreements that will lower the barriers to trade and level the playing fields for all players. Trade agreements come together more naturally with developed nations that share our commitment to rule of law, strong worker protections and strict environmental controls. Australia is such a country. Even so, it has been difficult to resolve the differences in our two economies and allow protections for particularly vulnerable elements of each economy. Negotiations have taken place over a considerable length of time, and no side has gotten everything they want.”