Gabriel M Key  

What is happening on the Hill?  The Democratic leadership in the House asserts that it willoppose the Colombian and Korean Free Trade Agreements until certain provisionsor laws are established to further protect American jobs and workers. 

OK, I understand the motivation and desire to protect U.S.jobs and workers.  But, is itpossible to be so protective that people ultimately loose out on opportunitiesfor growth?

Congressman Herger (R - CA) spoke at an event hosted by theWashington International Trade Association – WITA – (http://www.wita.org) about the currentCongressional Trade Agenda.  To me,his remarks were both candid and refreshing.  Much like the Congressman, I believe continued, if notexpanded, access for U.S. exporters is one of the key elements to ensuring theU.S. economy continues to be viable and functioning now and into thefuture. 

As he remarked, opportunities for expanded internationaltrade brings opportunities for economic growth, employment, and helps keep oureconomy going.  Increased access toforeign markets allows our goods to be sold abroad. Conceptually, it is thesame as expanding into a new city or state market.  Allowing imports forces us to remain competitive.  While some companies choose to becompetitive by lowering their costs, investing in research, design, andinnovation are more sustainable ways to remain competitive in the longrun.  With such investment, U.S.jobs are created and preserved into the future.

So, why block the Colombia and Korea FTAs?  It is true some people will gain morethan others if the agreements go into effect.  But, building walls and locking everyone out is not theanswer.  It didn’t work for theformer USSR and it didn’t work for Japan in the 18^th and 19^thcentury, why would it work now?

That said, if we are going to compete and be a part of theinternational trade system, then we must ask all other trading countries tofollow the same rules and seek out appropriate discipline when the rules arebroken.  We must also make everyconceivable effort to ensure that each and every item or morsel imported intothe U.S. or exported abroad meets all appropriate standards and does not placehuman or animal life in danger.  Mostimportantly, we should be making the investments today to ensure our childrenhave the skills and resources they will need to keep the U.S. economystrong.