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Tom Tancredo on Trade and Economics

Globalization has become a reality that has challenged traditional economies all over the world. Increased trade and agreements between nations have raised debate in the United States about what is the right balance between global exchange and protectionism. This topic includes information about candidate positions on: free trade and free trade agreements, farm subsidies, unionization, an increase in the federal minimum wage, and trade relations with China.

The issues

Tom Tancredo opposes unrestricted free trade

"And I absolutely agree that trade is a great idea in many respects. But when you trade with people who are your potential enemy, and they have shown a willingness to use that economic opportunity to actually increase their threats to the United States, I'm not for trading with them at all."

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Rep. Tancredo (R-CO) is a free trade skeptic, largely because of its potential effect on immigration to the United States. He was an outspoken opponent of CAFTA, which he said is "more than a just trade agreement about sugar and bananas; it is a thinly disguised immigration accord." He was opposed to the creation of FTAs with Oman, Chile, and Singapore. Tancredo voted in favor of the 2005 House resolution proposing U.S. withdrawal from the WTO, as well as a similar 2000 resolution.

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Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade

Bill HR 3045 ; vote number 2005-443 on Jul 28, 2005

Voted YES on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement

Bill H.R.4759 ; vote number 2004-375 on Jul 14, 2004

Voted NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement

Bill HR 2739 ; vote number 2003-432 on Jul 24, 2003

Voted NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile

Bill HR 2738 ; vote number 2003-436 on Jul 24, 2003

He was an outspoken opponent of CAFTA, which he said is "more than a just trade agreement about sugar and bananas; it is a thinly disguised immigration accord."

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"I believe that free-trade agreements are really managed trade," the congressman tells NRO. He believes that the president lacks the constitutional power to negotiate trade agreements, saying that it is the power of the Congress instead. If he were president, Paul says, "My advice to the Congress would be to simply keep tariffs low on all countries."

Trading Free National Review, August 9, 2007

Rep. Tancredo (R-CO) is a free trade skeptic, largely because of its potential effect on immigration to the United States

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Tom Tancredo strongly opposes an increase in the federal minimum wage

He voted against a minimum wage increase.

H.R. 4297, 5/10/06; H.R. 2, 1/10/07, Vote #118

Tom Tancredo opposes government subsidies to farmers

Voted no to authorize $167 billion over ten years for farm price supports, food aid and rural development. Payments would be made on a countercyclical program, meaning they would increase as prices dropped. Conservation acreage payments would be retained

HR 2646 ; vote number 2001-371 on Oct 5, 2001

Tom Tancredo strongly opposes normal diplomatic and trade relations with China

He voted against the U.S.-China Trade Relations Act of 2000. He also cosponsored a 2001 resolution, which never passed, to end those normalized trade relations in 2001.

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"I remember when we had a debate in the Congress of the United States about Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China and I was opposed to it, and I still am."

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