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Fred Thompson on Trade and Economics

Globalization has become a reality that has challenged traditional economies all over the world. Increased trade and agreements between nations have raised debate in the United States about what is the right balance between global exchange and protectionism. This topic includes information about candidate positions on: free trade and free trade agreements, farm subsidies, unionization, an increase in the federal minimum wage, and trade relations with China.

The issues

Fred Thompson strongly supports unrestricted free trade

"I'm a free trader," he [Thompson] added.

Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee) May 26, 2000

In eight years in the Senate, Thompson voted in support of extending trade benefits to sub-Saharan Africa, twice voted for normal trade relations with China, voted in support of normalizing trade relations with Vietnam, and several times voted to extend trade promotion authority to the president.

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Thompson has long been a defender of free trade. In a May 2007 speech he called protectionist trade policies "defensive, defeatist policies that have consistently been proven wrong."

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We're not afraid of globalization. It works to our benefit. We innovate more and invest in that innovation better than anywhere else in the world. Same thing goes for services. Free trade and market economies have done more for freedom and prosperity than a central planner could ever dream and we're the world's best example of that.

The Fred Factor, by Steve Gill, p.170 Jun 3, 2007

Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations

Bill HR.3009 ; vote number 2002-130 on May 23, 2002

Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam

Bill HJRES51 ; vote number 2001-291 on Oct 3, 2001

Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world

Bill HR.434 ; vote number 2000-98 on May 11, 2000

In the Senate, those with perfect free-trade voting records were Sam Brownback, Kansas Republican; Mike DeWine, Ohio Republican; Phil Gramm, Texas Republican; Richard Lugar, Indiana Republican; John McCain, Arizona Republican; Don Nickles, Oklahoma Republican; Rick Santorum, Pennsylvania Republican; and Fred Thompson, Tennessee Republican.

The Washington Times March 9, 2003

Fred Thompson strongly opposes an increase in the federal minimum wage

In 1999, he voted to kill an amendment that would increase the federal minimum wage.

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Fred Thompson is neutral on government subsidies to farmers

Voted Yes on replacing price farm supports.

Agriculture Market Transition Act of 1996; Bill S. 1541 ; vote number 1996-19 on Feb 7, 1996

Voted for the Freedom to Farm Act in 1996,14 which reduced, and aimed to phase out, farm subsidies while diminishing distortions to the agricultural economy.

Roll Call #57, 03/28/96

Fred Thompson is neutral on normal diplomatic and trade relations with China

Vote to give permanent Normal Trade Relations [NTR] status to China. Currently, NTR status for China is debated and voted on annually.

Bill HR.4444 ; vote number 2000-251 on Sep 19, 2000

"The president, I hope, will build bridges where he can and draw lines where he must. Clearly, the Chinese know that we want a good relationship with them. I think the name of the game is going to have to be to avoid incidents until all this plays out, and we find out whether or not we're going to be dealing with a friendly competitor or an enemy."

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