Rich Neal: “I agree with all those who have said it is important for the future of America and for our economy to continue to…”

“I agree with all those who have said it is important for the future of America and for our economy to continue to participate in the World Trade Organization. It is simply common sense that the nation with the most open trade regime in the world would gain from supporting the international organization whose purpose is to open up the trade regimes of all nations and police those arrangements. Many Members today have talked about the faults of the WTO, and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior), is in part correct; they are many. But we have to keep in mind that these faults take place against a backdrop of international agreement and cooperation. We are not going to win every case, and sometimes the WTO is simply going to be wrong. But that does not mean that we are better off without having a WTO. It provides a place to resolve trade conflict that historically can easily escalate into more serious matters.”