Political Quotes

“today I join with the chairman of the Committee on Finance in introducing legislation to bring new clarity to the muddled language of U.S. trade policy. The unanimity of support for this legislation is demonstrated by the fact that each and every Member of the Finance Committee is an original cosponsor. Since the 18th century, the United States has pursued a policy of nondiscrimination among its trading partners. This policy has created considerable equality in the trading conditions we extend to the great majority of countries with which we trade. If the United States has normal trade relations with a country, that country receives treatment equal to most others under our trade laws. The legislation we introduce today is designed to call this policy of equal treatment what it is--normal trade relations. For it has become increasingly clear that the 18th century term used to describe this policy of equal treatment, the term that still prevails in our international agreements, our laws, and our usage, has served only to confuse.”