Congressional Black Caucus debate: on Free Trade


Barack Obama: Enforce environmental & labor provisions in trade agreements

EDWARDS: [to Obama]: The problem with the Peru trade agreement [which Obama voted for] is you are leaving the enforcement of environmental and labor regulations in the hands of George Bush. I wouldn't trust George Bush to enforce anything, certainly not trade obligations.

OBAMA: Well, in a year's time, it'll be me who's enforcing them. We're going to make sure that the right thing is being done. It is absolutely critical for us to understand that NAFTA was an enormous problem. The permanent trade relations with China, without some of the enforcement mechanisms that were in there, that you voted for, was also a significant problem. And we've got to all move forward as Democrats to make sure that we've got trade deals that work for working people and not just for corporate profits.

Source: 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Democratic debate Jan 21, 2008

  • The above quotations are from Democratic presidential debate sponsored by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute on January 21, 2008.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Free Trade.
  • Click here for more quotes by Hillary Clinton on Free Trade.
  • Click here for more quotes by Barack Obama on Free Trade.
2008 Presidential contenders on Free Trade:
Republicans:
Chmn.John Cox
Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Gov.Mike Huckabee
Sen.John McCain
Rep.Ron Paul
Gov.Mitt Romney
Sen.Fred Thompson
Democrats:
Sen.Hillary Clinton
Sen.John Edwards
Sen.Mike Gravel
Sen.Barack Obama
Third Parties:
Independent: Mayor Mike Bloomberg
Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney
Socialist: Brian Moore
Independent: Ralph Nader
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