Byron Dorgan: “first of all, this debate, if it is like most debates on fast track, will not be a very thoughtful debate. There is a…”

“first of all, this debate, if it is like most debates on fast track, will not be a very thoughtful debate. There is a relentless chanting about free trade and the global economy, but no discussion about what is really happening in trade. I believe in expanded trade. I believe expanded trade helps our economy and helps economies around the world. I am not someone who believes we should put walls around our country and try to keep other goods out of our country. I do believe, however, our country has a right to be a leader in demanding and insisting on fair trade. That has not been the case for several decades. I will talk a bit about that. In October 2001, our trade Ambassador, Mr. Zoellick--a man I like-- speaking to a business group in Chicago, described opponents of trade promotion authority as ``xenophobes and isolationists.'' That is fairly typical of the prevailing view on trade. There is a perception that this debate has two camps: The camp that is able to see over the horizon, they get it, they understand it, they understand the global economy, and they understand all of the issues; and then there are the others, xenophobic, isolationist stooges who cannot and will not understand. The Senate is preparing to give the administration the power to negotiate trade agreements in secret, and bring them back to Congress for very limited debate.”