Political Quotes

“of all the trade agreements this body has considered since I have been here, I would like to be able to support this one. I think it is remarkable how the CAFTA countries have turned from pasts of violence and instability to hopeful democracies. The initial economic and political reforms made by these countries are an important sign of progress. Unfortunately, this trade agreement is seriously flawed. And, more importantly, it is symptomatic of the Bush administration's rudderless trade and economic policy. The CAFTA countries account for less than 1.5 percent of total U.S. trade. The combined economic size of the CAFTA countries is smaller than each of the top 25 metropolitan areas in America. Yet, the Bush administration has made CAFTA its number one trade priority this year. I don't know if the President even has any trade policies other than CAFTA. I know that President Bush has no policy for dealing with the U.S. trade deficit, which set a record last year of over $600 billion and is on pace to surpass $700 billion this year. Economists have warned that our trade deficit is unsustainable and could threaten the U.S. and global economies. If anyone tells you that CAFTA will help reduce the deficit, they are confused or are being misleading. The CAFTA countries account for just 0.3 percent of the U.S. trade deficit. They are barely a molecule of water in the proverbial drop in the bucket.…”