State of Minnesota Archives: on Free Trade
Amy Klobuchar:
Supports tariffs on foreign steel & aluminum
Economy: Support President Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?Klobuchar: Yes. Endorsed imposing tariffs on foreign steel & aluminum but says President should consult with Congress on tariffs.
Newberger: Yes. Supports President being able to make unilateral tariff decisions, without requiring Congress to vote on them first.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Minnesota Senate race
Nov 1, 2018
Jason Lewis:
I support free trade, but not TPP
Because I am a supporter of free trade--and especially making sure Minnesota agricultural exports have access to overseas markets--I do not support the TPP in its current form.
It appears much less a free trade agreement and much more a complicated multilateral carve out for special interests--not unlike our loophole ridden tax code. Real free trade lowers tariffs for all and and contains special favors for none.
That is why the Obama Administration secretly negotiated the deal for years. For example, one foreign car company gets favored treatment in the TPP over other automakers and is permitted to import parts from countries that don't comply with the deal.
There is also no real remedy in the agreement that addresses currency manipulation for trade advantage. I look forward to helping craft a better trade deal that protects American interests while expanding vital export markets for Minnesota producers.
Source: 2016 Minnesota House campaign website JasonLewis2016.com
Nov 8, 2016
Jason Lewis:
Punish China, bring our supply chains home
China's culpability is obvious to most Americans. And we must hold them accountable. One way we can punish China for their actions is by bringing our supply chains home.
There is no reason we should be dependent on China for vital industries. Let's end our reliance on China and bring those jobs back to the United States.
Source: 2020 Minnesota Senate campaign website LewisForMN.com
Jul 8, 2020
Jason Lewis:
America First: end outsourcing to China, Buy American
If America First means anything, it means an end to outsourcing medical supplies to China. A Communist country so emboldened they've already threatened to cut off the U.S. drug supply, plunging America "into the hell of a novel coronavirus epidemic."
It means a new "Buy American" emphasis ending a dangerous supply-chain dependence for our key industries, starting with a directive that all federal agencies buy American-made supplies in vital areas.
Source: The Twin Cities Pioneer Press on 2020 Minnesota Senate race
Mar 26, 2020
Jesse Ventura:
When I travel abroad it will be with a serious economic plan
When I travel abroad, it will be with a serious economic plan, well thought through. The trip planned for fall to Japan is the first effort. Some of you may know that Japanese television carried my inauguration on national television. With such
interest in Minnesota, I would be foolish not to explore that interest for the betterment of our entire state's economy. The urgency of my administration's strategy for new market development is seen most in the agricultural part of the economy.
Source: 1999 State of the State Address to Minnesota Legislature
Mar 2, 1999
Jim Hagedorn:
Tariffs aren't permanently beneficial; support open markets
Q: Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs on Minnesota products. Will Trump's tariffs hurt Minnesota producers?A: Tariffs only benefit the governments that impose them and the industries being protected, and only on a temporary basis. I support open
markets, expanded global trade and the export of American goods, especially our fine agricultural products. One of my priorities is to serve on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and work to sustain agriculture and our southern Minnesota way of life.
Source: CBS Minnesota on 2018 Congressional MN-1 election
Jul 24, 2018
Jim Newberger:
Support & expand free trade
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade"?
A: Support.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Minnesota Senate candidate
Mar 15, 2018
Mark Dayton:
US policy should favor American workers and sovereignty
International trade should be conducted by all governments in their respective national interests. U.S. policy should favor American workers and wages. The WTO is constructive, if it encourages or enforces
reciprocity in trade agreements; destructive, if it usurps national sovereignty over wages and working conditions.
Source: Minnesota Newspaper Association Election Questionnaire
Jul 2, 2000
Mark Dayton:
Against Permanent Normal Trade Relations; for human rights
I would have voted against the recent bill establishing Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. The potential economic benefits to be gained from PNTR are tempting; however, [we should have] insured the US' ability to use necessary means to further
the principles upon which this country was founded. By passing the PNTR with China, the US passed up an opportunity to affirm its support for human rights, religious tolerance, environmental protection, and the rights of workers around the globe.
Source: Minnesota Newspaper Association Election Questionnaire
Jul 2, 2000
Mike McFadden:
Use Chinese steel over U.S. steel if the import was cheaper
While the governor's race has remained muddled, the U.S. Senate contest has followed a more conventional path. Sitting comfortably as front-runner,
McFadden largely steered clear of specific issues as he sought to instead to capitalize on anti-Washington sentiment by running as a political outsider.
McFadden may have suffered a self-inflicted wound last week, when in his support for the Keystone Pipeline he said he would opt for building it with Chinese steel over U.S. steel if the import was cheaper.
That prompted tirades from union activists on an issue of sensitivity to Minnesota's Iron Range; McFadden said he places a high value on being "cost competitive" on projects that use taxpayer money.
Source: Star Tribune on 2014 Minnesota Senate race
Aug 10, 2014
Norm Coleman:
Blocking increased trade hurts Minnesota farmers
On the issue of opening more markets for farmers the candidates all agreed there's great potential for alternative energy from biomass and ethanol. Coleman said he supports giving the White House more latitude in negotiating trade agreements.
And Coleman said Wellstone has been a barrier to increased trade which he says has hurt Minnesota farmers. "If you take the senator's position (that) we'll produce for Minnesota consumption only and if you do that, rural Minnesota dies," Coleman said.
Source: Minnesota Public Radio, Election 2002 coverage
Sep 20, 2002
Paula Overby:
Expand free trade but not economic exploitation
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade"?A: Support--Trade is a critical economic tool and I support the expansion of free trade but current trade policy typically supports the
expansion of economic exploitation and the expansion of wealth inequality. It is the tantamount example of the social failure of a conservative belief in a global oligopoly.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Minnesota Senate candidate
May 13, 2018
Steve Carlson:
Tariffs are necessary to make the world play fair
Truth is, Trump is getting NATO ship-shape, as if we are really allies and not just sponging off the United States. Truth is, Trump wants to reduce the threat from Russia and make G-8 work again after Barack Obama messed it up.
Minnesota will benefit greatly by restoring the need for steel. It won't happen overnight, but tariffs to make the world play fair is a key component to bringing jobs back to America, back to Minnesota, and building a far brighter future for our world.
Source: CBS Minnesota on 2018 Minnesota Senate race
Jul 24, 2018
Steve Carlson:
Tariffs make world play fair, & bring jobs back to America
Trump is getting NATO ship-shape, as if we are really allies and not just sponging off the United States. Truth is, Trump wants to reduce the threat from Russia and make G-8 work again after Barack Obama messed it up. Minnesota will benefit greatly by
restoring the need for steel. It won't happen overnight, but tariffs to make the world play fair is a key component to bringing jobs back to America, back to Minnesota, and building a far brighter future for our world.
Source: CBS-4 Minnesota on 2020 Alabama Senate race
Jul 24, 2018
Tim Pawlenty:
2005 trade mission led to Minnesota-China Partnership
Minnesota's long relationship with China dates back to 1850 when our first missionaries were sent to China--eight years before the territory became the nation's 32nd state. Today myriad connections abound, reinforced through cooperative partnership in
business, education, government, and cultural and humanitarian works.Minnesota's commitment to China reached new heights in 2005 with the Minnesota-China Partnership, an unprecedented statewide initiative to help the people of Minnesota and
China continue to build upon this valued relationship when Governor Pawlenty led more than 200 business, government, academic and civic leaders--the largest state delegation ever organized in the
United States--on a mission to China. Geared primarily toward trade, the mission included several industry-focused delegations and featured events in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Source: Press release, "Minnesota-China Partnership"
May 5, 2008
Tim Walz:
Rash tariffs on China against interests of America's farmers
Q: Support Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?Jeff Johnson (R): No. Concerned about how Chinese tariffs will affect Minnesota farmers.
Tim Walz (D): No. Calls the tariffs "rash" & not in "the interests of America's farmers."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Minnesota Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Royce White:
Globalism enslaves free people & destroys businesses
What is globalism? It is the international merger of the military, media, and medical global industries, big tech, and the global banks into a system of authoritarian control that enslaves free people and destroys the independent family-owned businesses
that traditionally have been the backbone of the USA economy. I will introduce legislation that will encourage the on-shoring of all our imported supplies purchased from Chinese-owned companies producing in China or anywhere else in the world.
Source: 2024 Minnesota Senate campaign website RoyceWhite.us
Jul 2, 2024
Royce White:
Don't bastardize our citizenship through globalism
I'm going to represent the people of Minnesota in a bigger fight for American citizenship. Right now, we face an enemy that intends to bastardize our citizenship through an idea called globalism. We must begin to understand how the global affects the
local and take a stand for God, Family, and Country. I have fought against the corporate community responsible for this globalist agenda. Send me to Washington so I can continue that fight on the Senate floor in the swamp.
Source: Ballotpedia Candidate Connection: 2024 Minnesota Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Tina Smith:
Farmers worried about losing their access to markets
Klobuchar and Smith are on the Senate committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Whether it’s funding cuts or tariffs, both Klobuchar and Smith are concerned about farmers."I've spent the last couple of days in southwestern
Minnesota, and the issue of tariffs has been uppermost on people's minds. In farm country, farmers are very worried about losing their access to markets that they have spent decades building," Smith said.
Source: KELO on 2026 Minnesota Senate race
Apr 16, 2025
Tim Walz:
In trade wars, agriculture gets hit the hardest
The flippant nature that we're just trying something new here is really dangerous. These markets took us years to develop, and we have to be dependable trading partners. They don't come back overnight. And everyone knows, in the history of trade wars,
agriculture gets hit the hardest. So I'm deeply concerned. It's our number one export. Adding the tariffs -- our two biggest export markets Mexico and Canada. They are great friends. This is just really, really terrifying.
Source: CNN SOTU 2025 interview on 2026 Minnesota Gubernatorial race
Apr 6, 2025
Jeff Johnson 2018:
Tariffs on China negatively affect Minnesota farmers
Q: Support Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?Jeff Johnson (R): No. Concerned about how Chinese tariffs will affect Minnesota farmers.
Tim Walz (D): No. Calls the tariffs "rash" & not in "the interests of America's farmers."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Minnesota Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Angie Craig:
Tariffs are killing my bean and corn producers right now
Q: What are you hearing from your farmers? What are they most worried about?A: It's the [Make America Healthy Again] movement, absolutely. It's the lack of focus on science, which is interesting because the tariffs are killing my bean and corn
producers right now. They're losing their markets in China, they're worried about Mexico. But what they're most worried about is Robert Kennedy and the lack of science being used by H.H.S. It's truly extraordinary.
Source: Puck News, "Big Tent", on 2026 Minnesota Senate race
Jul 18, 2025
Tim Walz:
Trump's tariffs will hurt farmers, businesses and consumers
Gov. Tim Walz criticized President Donald Trump for imposing steep new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China--Minnesota's top three trading partners. Walz argued the additional tax on imports will hurt Minnesota farmers, businesses and
consumers. "Any trade war, wherever it is… the ag community hurts the worst. It's the easiest one to target, and it's the one that pinches people the hardest," Walz told a group gathered at a farm in Cannon Falls before a press conference.
Source: Minnesota Reformer on 2026 Minnesota Gubernatorial race
Mar 4, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026