Political Quotes

“I want to speak both to the Chile and Singapore Free Trade Agreements. With regard to Chile, this is going to level the trade playing field for U.S. companies and workers. Chile's uniform tariff of 6 percent will be immediately removed for more than 85 percent of all U.S. exports, and the remaining tariff is going to be phased out. By contrast, 65 percent, two-thirds of Chile's exports to the United States are already duty free, and there is an average of one-half of one percent tariff on those goods that face any duty. But the problem with Chile has been that, while the U.S. has spent years debating Trade Promotion Authority, Chile has been busy striking free trade deals with Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and the European Union. Because of these agreements, the U.S., which was once the dominant market for Chile's foreign trade, has seen its share of the Chilean market drop by one-third since 1997, and its bilateral trade agreement has reversed from surplus to deficit. Equally important, this is going to promote broader U.S. foreign policy goals in the Americas. Because Chile is one of the most stable, transparent and wealthy South American nations, it boasts impressive labor and environmental standards. We are also going to have the opportunity to further exercise our world leadership role by actively promoting democracy, civil rules of law, and human rights.”