State of Virginia Archives: on Free Trade
Bob McDonnell:
Compete more vigorously to attract jobs from abroad
There is a competition underway among the states and the nations. From Raleigh to Singapore, governments are pursuing bold initiatives to attract new job-creating businesses to their borders. We must compete more vigorously to be successful. Growing the
tax base through business development is the key to Virginia's economic recovery.Let's double the amount of the Fund for Fiscal Year 2011. We have fallen behind many neighboring states in the tax and regulatory incentives we offer, which cannot last.
Source: Virginia 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 18, 2010
Bob McDonnell:
Trade missions worked in London, Shanghai, and Mumbai
Overseas visitors spent a record-breaking $321 million here in 2011, and I was on hand to open trade and agricultural offices in London, Shanghai, New Delhi and Mumbai to sell Virginia products around the world and create more good jobs here at home.
Our trade missions are getting results. Last month alone one ship left Chesapeake and delivered $25 million worth of Virginia soybeans to China. Two weeks ago, another vessel began the same journey, with another 25 million worth of Virginia soybeans.
Source: 2012 Virginia State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2012
Ed Gillespie:
Opposes the Export-Import Bank
Gillespie cited opposition to the Export-Import Bank as evidence of his independence.Warner noted that the Republican-leaning National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce both support renewing the
Export-Import Bank. "It supports American businesses in a global economy, giving them a financial backstop," he said.
Gillespie noted that he understands the arguments for the bank. "I have a lot of friends who support the Export-Import bank, believe me," he said. "I think it's an area where we can get some savings.
I know it's hard to stand up to the Chamber of Commerce [and] the National Association of Manufacturers," Gillespie added, but that's the job of a senator."
Source: Politico.com weblog on 2014 Virginia Senate debate
Jul 26, 2014
Ed Gillespie:
Lobbied to remove tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber
The British Columbia Lumber Trade Council paid Gillespie's lobbying firm, Quinn-Gillespie,
$1.78 million on lobbying in a failed effort to remove U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber.
Source: Public Citizen Congress Watch on 2014 Virginia Senate race
Jun 1, 2003
Mark Warner:
Renew Export-Import Bank to support U.S. businesses globally
Gillespie cited opposition to the Export-Import Bank as evidence of his independence.Warner noted that the Republican-leaning National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce both support renewing the
Export-Import Bank. "It supports American businesses in a global economy, giving them a financial backstop," he said.
Gillespie noted that he understands the arguments for the bank. "I have a lot of friends who support the Export-Import bank, believe me," he said. "I think it's an area where we can get some savings.
I know it's hard to stand up to the Chamber of Commerce [and] the National Association of Manufacturers," Gillespie added, but that's the job of a senator."
Source: Politico.com weblog on 2014 Virginia Senate debate
Jul 26, 2014
Terry McAuliffe:
Travel the globe selling VA agricultural & forestry products
Last year I announced my goal to make Virginia the East Coast capital for agriculture and forestry exports. That wasn't empty rhetoric--we got right to work. We hosted 18 ambassadors to discuss a range of trade issues. We traveled the globe selling
Virginia agricultural products--everything from apples to wine, to soybeans to peanuts. I even ate my fair share of fried cicadas and chicken paws--but I will eat anything if it means more jobs and investment here at home.I am pleased to announce that
our efforts are paying off. For the first time in the history of Virginia, agriculture and forestry exports exceeded $3 billion dollars in 2014.
But if we are going to continue our momentum, we must invest in smart incentive funds like the Governor's
Opportunity Fund and the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund. These tools make Virginia competitive in a global economy, and they provide a real return on investment: for every $1 we invest, we receive $9 in budget revenue in return.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 Virginia Legislature
Jan 14, 2015
Terry McAuliffe:
Rebuild shipping container gateway at Port of Virginia
The Port of Virginia is one of our greatest economic assets. It is our gateway to the world of international commerce. This year, the Port has seen record-breaking growth in the number of shipping containers that move through that facility.
The Port, which was losing millions and failing to meet its debt covenants this time last year, is finally on track to become the profitable economic asset this Commonwealth needs.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 Virginia Legislature
Jan 14, 2015
Tim Kaine:
Virginia began as an experiment in global trade
Coming to Jamestown reminds us that Virginia began as an experiment in global trade. Since the Virginia Companie was chartered to find economic opportunities in the New World, our story has been one of entrepreneurship and job growth.In the past year,
we have made exciting job announcements in virtually every community in the Commonwealth. We've announced over $1 billion in investment and 5000 new jobs with good wages and benefits throughout Virginia--jobs created and filled using tools like the
Governor's Opportunity Fund, Enterprise Zone Grants, workforce investments, and tobacco settlement funds.
We can bring more good jobs into Virginia and bolster our reputation for innovation. Together, we can bring a global research leader,
SRI International, to the Shenandoah Valley. The partnership between SRI and James Madison University, initially focusing on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research, will create great jobs and complement our growing expertise in biomedical research.
Source: 2007 State of the State address to Virginia Assembly
Jan 10, 2007
Tim Kaine:
Engage with people from other countries in global commerce
One in ten Virginians was born outside of the United States, and most of us can trace our ancestors back to another country in only a few generations. Did you know that, in 2007, foreign companies announced over $750 million of investments in Virginia,
creating over 2000 new jobs? Many of these jobs were created in parts of our Commonwealth that are hungry for economic development. We are in fierce competition for those jobs, and we cannot afford to give the world the impression that Virginians are
not willing to engage with people from other countries in global commerce.And it's not just about new business opportunities or foreign investment in our communities. Many long-time Virginia businesses, especially in the agricultural sector
that still represents the largest part of our economy, are dependent on immigrant workers. We should not punish law-abiding businesses or hinder their ability to grow and create jobs.
Source: 2007 State of the State address to Virginia Assembly
Jan 9, 2008
Scott Taylor:
Manufacturing towns impacted by America's trade deals
Scott supports trade. After all, trade is partly responsible for making the US the world's largest economy. Scott recognizes that unfair trade has massive, negative societal costs. Drive through any former textile town or manufacturing town and it's
impossible to miss the impact of America's trade deals. Going forward, Scott knows trade deals must be in America's best interest--for our citizens and our communities--and if a proposed trade deal is not in America's best interests he will oppose it.
Source: 2016 Virginia House campaign website ScottTaylor.US
Nov 8, 2016
Corey Stewart:
Trump's Chinese tariffs are right on
Q: Support President Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?Tim Kaine (D): No. "They are killing jobs" & could "significantly put our infrastructure advancements at risk."
Corey Stewart (R): Yes. "What President Trump is doing [with the Chinese tariffs] is right on."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Tim Kaine:
Trump's Chinese tariffs are killing jobs
Q: Support President Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?Tim Kaine (D): No. "They are killing jobs" & could "significantly put our infrastructure advancements at risk."
Corey Stewart (R): Yes. "What President Trump is doing [with the Chinese tariffs] is right on."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Daniel Gade:
Promote free market taxation, regulation, & unfettered trade
Markets that are free of government interference or crony capitalism are engines of economic growth and prosperity for all.
Low individual and business taxes, decreased regulation, and free and unfettered trade is the key to further improvement in the standard of living for all Americans.
Source: 2020 Virginia Senate campaign website GadeForVirginia.com
Dec 25, 2019
Glenn Youngkin:
Prohibit Chinese Communist tech & purchases of farmland
Last month, I signed an Executive Order banning TikTok and WeChat on state-owned devices. Everyone knows that TikTok is a tool of the Chinese Communist Party, a dictatorial political party that only has one goal: global dominance at the expense of the
United States. While the national security concerns and personal privacy implications of CCP technology are well-known, I believe Virginians should also be wary of Chinese Communist intrusion into Virginia's economy.
I've said before that I want "Made in America" to mean "Made in Virginia." But let me be clear, "Made in Virginia" cannot be a front for the Chinese Communist Party. In addition, Virginians--not the CCP--should own the
rich and vibrant agricultural lands God has blessed us with. That is why I am asking the General Assembly to send me a bill to prohibit dangerous foreign entities tied to the CCP from purchasing Virginia farmland.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature
Jan 11, 2023
Corey Stewart:
Free trade only if the US is being treated fairly
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade"?
A: Only if the United States is being treated fairly.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Virginia Senate candidate
May 18, 2018
Glenn Youngkin:
Supported Trump's trade battles with China
He has also praised the former president's economic record and ran a campaign ad that featured Trump praising Youngkin during the former president's trade battles with China.
Youngkin also barnstormed the state with conservative Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in the closing days of the primary.
Source: Politico.com on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
May 11, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026