State of West Virginia secondary Archives: on Free Trade
Bob Wise:
Protect steel industry from illegal imports
My priority in working with our delegation in Washington will be to stop the destruction of the steel industry by illegal imports. West Virginia’s steel industry has developed efficient processes and adapted to the new international marketplace.
But it can’t survive against an onslaught of subsidized and underpriced steel from abroad. This country must have a strong and vibrant steel industry to remain an industrial power - and West Virginia will be a part of it.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to West Virginia Legislature
Feb 14, 2001
Bob Wise:
Require use of US steel in state-funded projects
One step we can take, immediately, to preserve steel jobs, is to require the use of U.S. made steel in state-funded projects. I have prepared a bill to do just that. I respectfully urge you to take up this legislation at the start of business tomorrow,
and to move it through both houses of this Legislature in record time. I promise to sign it the minute it arrives on my desk. We’re in this fight, and we’re in it to win...for West Virginia.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to West Virginia Legislature
Feb 14, 2001
Earl Ray Tomblin:
West Virginia is a strong international competitor
In October, I led a 13-day investment mission to Europe with stops in Spain, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. As you know, jobs are my number one priority. I will go anywhere and meet with anyone to bring good paying jobs to West Virginia.
During that trip my team met with a number of prospects--several have committed to investing in West Virginia. One of the highlights of this trip was my stop at Pietro Fiorentini in Italy.
My thanks goes out to the Italian company for placing its trust in West Virginia.
West Virginia is a strong international competitor. Production from manufacturing sectors--plastics, machinery, chemicals, aerospace, medical
products and automotive--grew substantially. Exports have increased from $9 billion in 2011 to over $11 billion last year and outpaced the national growth rate.
Source: 2014 West Virginia State of the State speech
Jan 8, 2014
Jay Wolfe:
Free trade ok, but sanctions on China & Venezuela
Q: Do you support the United States imposing economic sanctions on China?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the United States imposing trade sanctions on Venezuela?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the United States involvement in free trade agreements?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the United States involvement in intergovernmental organizations dedicated to trade?
A: Yes.
Source: West Virginia Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Aug 8, 2008
Jim Justice:
Bring manufacturing back from Vietnam, China and Mexico
We are the perfect candidate for what President Trump wants to do in bringing manufacturing back to the United States, that today all of our furniture manufacturing is in Vietnam, China and Mexico.
I love Vietnam China and Mexico. From a distance. I want stuff for us.
Source: 2017 West Virginia State of the State address
Feb 8, 2017
Jim Justice:
Change the trade imbalance with China
China is a possibility beyond all of our possible dreams. It could really happen. And the reason it could probably happen is two things. And these are Trump cards that we have. And they're true Trump cards. President Trump genuinely wants the
trade imbalance with China to change. And President Trump has put his first foot forward to say a big part of that change is going to happen in West Virginia. And I'll promise you, President Trump and I are friends.
Source: 2018 West Virginia State of the State address
Jan 10, 2018
Jim Justice:
Supports tariffs that lead to good deals when dust settles
Don't think for a second that the China issue is off the table or the natural gas hub is gone. Today, like it or not like it, but we're still having a little bit of head-butting going on with the U.S. and China, and until the dust settles,
you know, between our Presidents and everything [with the ongoing US tariffs and retaliatory Chinese tariffs], we're probably going to have a little head-butting going on, but they're still in touch all the time.
There's absolutely so much interest in West Virginia. We have so many possibilities for manufacturing and
natural gas hub and expansion of our coal industry and on and on and on, tourism through the roof, and so many different things.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to West Virginia legislature
Jan 9, 2019
Jim Justice:
Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA
The USMCA is a new trade pact among the United States, Mexico and Canada, intended as a stronger and modernized replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV): "Our great president @realDonaldTrump strikes again. No question the USMCA will bring opportunity and job growth to our entire nation and to WV as well. Go Donald go!"
Source: White House press release: 2020 West Virginia Governor race
Oct 2, 2018
Joe Manchin III:
Supports tariffs on China; trade hasn't been good for WV
Q: Support President Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?Joe Manchin (D): Yes. Supports the tariffs 100%. Historically, trade deals have not been good for WV.
Patrick Morrisey (R): Milder support: "The President is.trying to gain a little negotiating leverage. That's not a bad thing."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Patrick Morrisey:
Supports tariffs on China to gain negotiating leverage
Q: Support President Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?Joe Manchin (D): Yes. Supports the tariffs 100%. Historically, trade deals have not been good for WV.
Patrick Morrisey (R): Milder support: "The President is.trying to gain a little negotiating leverage. That's not a bad thing."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023