State of Maine Archives: on Free Trade


Eric Brakey: I don't think tariffs are a good thing

Economy: Support President Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?

Brakey: No. "I don't think tariffs are a good thing." Would push for real free trade.

King: No. Could support tariffs on some imports, but not in the way Trump has done them.

Ringelstein: No position found.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Maine Senate race Nov 1, 2018

Zak Ringelstein: Protect economy from harmful international trade agreements

Our plan to reignite Maine's economy includes: Massive location-specific federal investment in entrepreneurship, existing businesses, and new offices for established corporations; Comprehensive federal and state investment in infrastructure. Land grants for new universities, technical schools,ÿand community colleges; and, Protecting our economy from harmful international trade agreements. World-class business means that we will have more tax dollars and more good-paying jobs across the state.
Source: 2018 Me. Senate campaign website, RingelsteinForMaine.com Jun 26, 2018

Chris Lyons: Support & expand free trade

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade"?

A: support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maine Senate candidate Mar 6, 2018

Susan Rice: US beneficiary of free trade; don't cede leadership to China

The United States has been the biggest beneficiary of globalization, and free trade, and open markets. It has reinforced democratic rule in many places. It's raised living standards, and the exports are a huge basis of our economy. We would be very remiss if we ceded the mantle of leadership on free trade and economic openness to China.
Source: CBS News on 2020 Maine Senate race Jan 18, 2017

Bruce Poliquin: Promote trade and investment opportunities

Support Our Unique Maine Industries and Their Jobs:For the health and freedom of our 2nd District families, it is critical that government help, not hinder, our small businesses that employ our workers. Red tape and unnecessary paperwork from Washington smother our companies with higher costs that result in job losses.
Source: 2014 Maine House campaign website, PoliquinForCongress.com Nov 4, 2014

Shenna Bellows: NAFTA damaged our manufacturing sector; so will TPP

Fair Trade, Not Corporate Giveaways: Too many jobs have been shipped overseas in the last two decades. We have witnessed firsthand the damage wrought to our manufacturing sector by bad trade deals like NAFTA. That's why I oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership and fast-track authority for trade agreements. We are increasingly interconnected in a global economy. International trade is important to Maine's economy, but international trade agreements must be fair trade agreements--protecting workers' rights at home and abroad, protecting the environment for future generations and protecting consumer safety.

Some politicians like to think of the economy as just another issue. For me, the economy is every issue. Better economic policies in Washington can make the difference when you pay your bills, start a family, & get the job you want. Investing in Maine's economy can make those things possible for every Mainer, and that's what I'm going to do from the first day I'm in Washington.

Source: 2014 Maine Senate campaign website BellowsForSenate.com Aug 31, 2014

Charlie Summers: I support free trade, but protect shoe factories

Charlie Summers and Angus King both sought to stake out the high ground as the pro-jobs candidate.

King visited shoe factories in Madison and Skowhegan and called for continued trade protection for New Balance Athletic Shoe. "There are more than 900 jobs at stake in Maine, and it would be a terrible blow to the region and the state if these jobs are lost," said the former governor, who is running as an independent.

Cynthia Dill, the Democratic nominee, joined in afterward by issuing her own statement supporting fair trade protections for Maine workers. "There's no reason at this time to consider dropping tariffs against foreign products that compete unfairly against those produced in Maine," she said.

Summers also said New Balance and its jobs need to be protected, & that trade agreements that affect other industries need to be revisited as well. "I'm very much a supporter of free trade," Summers said. "But with companies like New Balance, you have to make sure they are able to compete."

Source: Portland Press Herald on 2012 Maine Senate debate Aug 15, 2012

Cynthia Dill: Keep tariffs against foreign products that compete unfairly

Charlie Summers and Angus King both sought to stake out the high ground as the pro-jobs candidate.

King visited shoe factories in Madison and Skowhegan and called for continued trade protection for New Balance Athletic Shoe. "There are more than 900 jobs at stake in Maine, and it would be a terrible blow to the region and the state if these jobs are lost," said the former governor, who is running as an independent.

Cynthia Dill, the Democratic nominee, joined in afterward by issuing her own statement supporting fair trade protections for Maine workers. "There's no reason at this time to consider dropping tariffs against foreign products that compete unfairly against those produced in Maine," she said.

Summers also said New Balance and its jobs need to be protected, & that trade agreements that affect other industries need to be revisited as well. "I'm very much a supporter of free trade," Summers said. "But with companies like New Balance, you have to make sure they are able to compete."

Source: Portland Press Herald on 2012 Maine Senate debate Aug 15, 2012

Charlie Summers: Free trade yes, but sanctions on Venezuela

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.

Source: Maine Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

Susan Collins: Some trade agreements have resulted in more tariffs

Both candidates gave lukewarm reviews to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Collins said trade agreements have created some jobs in Maine, such as an agreement with Chile for Maine potatoes at Burger King restaurants. But some trade agreements have resulted in tariffs that have hurt other Maine agricultural and forest sectors, she said.

Allen said he is co-sponsoring legislation that would review existing trade agreements that have done a lot of damage to the U.S. economy.

Source: 2008 Maine Senate debate reported in Kennebec Journal Sep 21, 2008

Tom Allen: Review existing trade agreements that damaged US economy

Both candidates gave lukewarm reviews to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Collins said trade agreements have created some jobs in Maine, such as an agreement with Chile for Maine potatoes at Burger King restaurants. But some trade agreements have resulted in tariffs that have hurt other Maine agricultural and forest sectors, she said.

Allen said he is co-sponsoring legislation that would review existing trade agreements that have done a lot of damage to the U.S. economy.

Source: 2008 Maine Senate debate in Kennebec (Me.) Journal Sep 21, 2008

  • The above quotations are from State of Maine Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Free Trade.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2020 Presidential contenders on Free Trade:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021