Lindsey Graham: “I do not consider myself a protectionist, nor a free trader, but a balanced trader. Having said that, I have not been a…”

“I do not consider myself a protectionist, nor a free trader, but a balanced trader. Having said that, I have not been a supporter of so-called free trade agreements in the past. I have been very skeptical of the free trade agreements--FTAs--our country has signed due to the detrimental impact that I believe they've had on our economy, especially the manufacturing industry. Most of the trade agreements we have signed since I have been involved in politics under both Democrat and Republican leadership have put American workers at an unfair disadvantage because they have encouraged trade with countries that have no labor standards, lack environmental and intellectual property laws, and violate agreements under the WTO. Free trade only works when both countries play fairly. That is why I can support the U.S.-Australian Free Trade Agreement--USAFTA. Australia is a country that holds true to their word and will live up to their commitments in the agreement. Australia lives by the same rules of law that we as Americans live by. By maintaining an equivalent cost of production and standard of living to that of the United States, the USAFTA will improve the competitive advantages of both countries without encouraging the displacement of hard-working Americans. I am extremely concerned about the negative impacts that unfair trade agreements have had on the manufacturing industry.”