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Hillary Clinton 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

Hillary Clinton is neutral on unrestricted free trade

"The distinction here is often made between free trade and fair trade. Which do you support and why? I support what I call smart trade. Free trade versus fair trade is not descriptive. Trade is, in general, good for America. Number two, we know that if we don't have some sort of labor and environmental standards, we're going to be disadvantaged."

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"People ask me, am I a free trader or a fair trader? I want to be a smart, pro-American trader. And that means we look for ways to maximize the impact of what we're trying to export and quit being taken advantage of by other countries."

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"Well, I had said that for many years, that NAFTA and the way it's been implemented has hurt a lot of American workers. So, clearly we have to have a broad reform in how we approach trade. I believe in smart trade."

2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum Aug 7, 2007

"Well, outsourcing is a problem, and it's one that I've dealt with as a senator from New York. What are we doing to help them get prepared for the jobs that we could keep here that wouldn't be outsourced--and find a new source of jobs, clean energy, global warming, would create millions of new jobs for Americans."

2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University Jun 28, 2007

Voted against CAFTA

Bill HR 3045 ; vote number 2005-209 on Jul 28, 2005

Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman

Bill S. 3569 ; vote number 2006-190 on Jun 29, 2006

Voted YES on establishing free trade between US and Singapore

Bill S.1417/HR 2739 ; vote number 2003-318 on Jul 31, 2003

Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile

S.1416/HR 2738 ; vote number 2003-319 on Jul 31, 2003

Voted NO 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

"For me, trade is who we are. We're traders. We want to be involved in the global economy, but not be played for suckers."

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Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democratic front-runner in the presidential race, said on Saturday she would oppose ratification of a free trade pact with South Korea because it would harm the U.S. auto industry, among other things.

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Hillary Clinton strongly supports an increase in the federal minimum wage

In 2006, voted to increase the federal minimum wage.

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In 2007, voted against giving states the right to set their own minimum wage.

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In 2007, voted for an increase in the minium wage.

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In 2007, voted for an amended bill that would raise the federal minimum wage.

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"Are we ready to take this great victory that we had and translate it into action for the working people of this country by raising the minimum wage."

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"I got to vote to raise the minimum wage. I put in legislation which said that Congress should not get a salary increase until they did raise the minimum wage, and I am putting that back in, because I agree that by the time we got it raised after 10 years, it was already out of date."

2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC Jul 23, 2007

Hillary Clinton is neutral on government subsidies to farmers

"We have to have more focus on family farms. We've got to do more to make sure trade agreements are not only good for the exporting of agricultural products from great, big agribusiness, but also for small farmers."

2007 Democratic primary debate on "This Week"

Hillary Clinton opposes normal diplomatic and trade relations with China

"We've got to get back to fiscal responsibility in order to undercut the Chinese power over us because of the debt we hold. We also have to deal with their currency manipulation. We have to have tougher standards on what they import into this country. I do not want to eat bad food from China or have my children having toys that are going to get them sick. So let's be tougher on China going forward."

2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum Aug 8, 2007

Clinton supported most favored nation trade status despite concerns about China's human rights record. "We have to use our our moral and material strengths in ways that serve our evolving interests," she said.

Dean Murphy, NY Times Oct 20, 2000

When Clinton was asked if she would get tough on China, she replied that it's pretty hard to get tough on your banker.

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She agreed to co-sponsor legislation that would levy penalties on Chinese goods if they don't re-value their currency.

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