Colin Powell on Free Trade

Secretary of State (Pres. Bush Cabinet)

Democracy flowers when trade is free

The White House began a week of lobbying for its free trade agenda with both Bush and Powell speaking to the Council of the Americas, a business group meeting in Washington. Powell said democracy flowers when trade is free. “Did NAFTA hurt democracy in Mexico? No,” Powell said. “Today Mexico has a president elected from the opposition, the first in 70 years.” Source: USA Today, p. 8A , May 8, 2001

Sold his book in China (and it sold well)

When my publicist told me that Red China had placed a big order [for my book], I said, “Now wait a minute, they’re the enemy.” He said, “Yes, but they’ll pay in cash.” I said, “Yes!”

Later I asked one of the Chinese businessmen why it had sold so well in China? He said it was because of the American story - story of family, values and how it gave me the desire to be what I wanted to be. Heck, if I had known that, I could have written those first chapters in 6 weeks and saved myself a lot of time.

Source: Interview at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM , Jun 9, 2000

China: trading is better than shooting

Q. How do you feel about the trading policies with China?

A. Keep trading with China - tell them what we don’t like about them, but keep trading and talking. Last I knew, a person was less likely to shoot at you if you are trading with him.

Source: Interview at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM , Jun 9, 2000

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