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Dan Quayle on Free Trade

Vice President of the U.S., 1989-1993; Former Republican Senator (IN)

 


Trade creates growth; isolation is retreat

Protectionism was a potent issue on that first January [1992 campaign] trip to New Hampshire. It was understandable that people hurting economically might want to embrace protectionism. But we were sure, whatever problems the economy might have, that free trade wasn’t one of them.

I visited three different manufacturing plants and reminded voters that 35,000 jobs in the state depended on exports. I kept hearing that N.H.’s Republicans wanted to send us a message, so I told them: “We’ve got the message. The President understands the problem and is doing something about it. We have a growth agenda. Don’t send us a message of protectionism. Don’t send us a message of isolationism. Those policies will only make your problems worse.“ That was our big disagreement with [Pat] Buchanan. We believed in global leadership, not retreat. We believed in taking charge and being responsible.

Source: Standing Firm, by Dan Quayle, p.332 , Jul 2, 1994

Trade sanctions on USSR-occupied Afghanistan

Sen. Quayle co-sponsored S.1027 (Introduced by Sen. Gordon Humphrey with 30 co-sponsors): A bill to prohibit trade between the Soviet puppet regime in Afghanistan and the US.
Source: Bill sponsorship archives from the Library of Congress , Apr 8, 1987

Fast-track agreements; but also protective tariffs

Sen. Quayle co-sponsored S.490, the Omnibus Trade Act; introduced by Sen. Lloyd Bentsen with 57 co-sponsors.
Source: Bill sponsorship archives from the Library of Congress , Feb 5, 1987

China not ready for WTO; engage them & change them

Quayle said China is not ready to enter the World Trade Organization because it has not fully established the rule of law - those rules and regulations that assure investors that their interests can be protected legally. The US should continue to develop trade with China, but with an eye toward encouraging political and social change, he said. “Our goal should always be not just to engage China but to change China,” he said.
Source: Michael White, Associated Press , Jul 24, 1999

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Other past presidents on Free Trade: Dan Quayle on other issues:
Former Presidents:
Barack Obama(D,2009-2017)
George W. Bush(R,2001-2009)
Bill Clinton(D,1993-2001)
George Bush Sr.(R,1989-1993)
Ronald Reagan(R,1981-1989)
Jimmy Carter(D,1977-1981)
Gerald Ford(R,1974-1977)
Richard Nixon(R,1969-1974)
Lyndon Johnson(D,1963-1969)
John F. Kennedy(D,1961-1963)
Dwight Eisenhower(R,1953-1961)
Harry S Truman(D,1945-1953)

Past Vice Presidents:
V.P.Joseph Biden
V.P.Dick Cheney
V.P.Al Gore
V.P.Dan Quayle
Sen.Bob Dole

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Page last updated: Feb 22, 2022