Factbox: McCain, Obama plans on US trade policy
Wed Jun 4, 2008
FACTBOX: McCain, Obama plans on U.S. trade policy
(Reuters) — The U.S. presidential election in November will be a face-off between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.
Following are some of McCain’s and Obama’s main positions on trade — an issue that has become contentious during this election cycle.
REPUBLICAN SEN. JOHN MCCAIN OF ARIZONA
– Supports free trade pacts with Colombia, South Korea and Panama and negotiating a new free trade pact with the 27 nations of the European Union.
– Opposes changing NAFTA agreement.
– Favors opening new trade markets, but also advocates education and retraining for workers displaced by global trade.
– Has proposed partnerships with community colleges to retrain displaced workers and providing income assistance to those who find jobs that pay less.
DEMOCRATIC SEN. BARACK OBAMA OF ILLINOIS
– Urged renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement to strengthen provisions on labor and environment. Warned of opting out of the treaty if Canada and Mexico refuse.
– Opposed free trade pacts with Colombia and South Korea, but supported an agreement with Peru.
– Supports pressuring World Trade Organization to better enforce agreements and halt government subsidies to foreign exporters and imposing other nontariff barriers on U.S. exports.
– Wants to revamp fast-track trade negotiating authority to require pre-screening of potential U.S. free trade partners based on their labor and environmental standards and other factors.
