Chuck Grassley: “I support the Australia Free Trade Agreement because it is for the sole purpose that it is in the economic interest of…”

“I support the Australia Free Trade Agreement because it is for the sole purpose that it is in the economic interest of the United States of America. I do it within our constitutional power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. I do it in the tradition of the last 70 years, since the 1930s, of the United States doing everything it could to lead the rest of the world in the reduction of barriers to trade; to enhance not only the economy of the United States of America but the economy of the entire world. Let no one have any doubt in their mind, this is in the economic interest of the United States and that is the only thing the United States ought to be considering as we consider this legislation. If I can do something in the economic interest of the United States and at the same time enhance our relationships and show our respect for a friend in the world community of nations, I am not going to back away from doing that.”