Trade Trouble

THE Democratic party has a long history, dating back to its origins, of espousing free trade. It is a history from which contemporary Democrats are running away. In 2005, Sen. Hillary Clinton opposed the Central America Free Trade Agreement. She has sought sanctions against China to force it to revalue its currency. Now she is criticizing the North America Free Trade Agreement-enacted during her husband’s administration-and calling for “a little timeout” on new trade deals.

Clinton isn’t the first Democratic presidential candidate to find past support for NAFTA a problem. During the 2004 race, Howard Dean repudiated NAFTA. Clinton’s rivals John Edwards and Barack Obama are also sounding anti-trade. Obama opposed CAFTA, for example, although only after some trademark hand-wringing.

About the Author

Ramesh Ponnuru

Ramesh Ponnuru is the editor of National Review, a columnist for the Washington Post, and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

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THE Democratic party has a long history, dating back to its origins, of espousing free trade. It is a history from which contemporary Democrats are running away. In 2005, Sen. Hillary Clinton opposed the Central America Free Trade Agreement. She has sought sanctions against China to force it to revalue its currency. Now she is criticizing the North America Free Trade Agreement-enacted during her husband’s administration-and calling for “a little timeout” on new trade deals.

Clinton isn’t the first Democratic presidential candidate to find past support for NAFTA a problem. During the 2004 race, Howard Dean repudiated NAFTA. Clinton’s rivals John Edwards and Barack Obama are also sounding anti-trade. Obama opposed CAFTA, for example, although only after some trademark hand-wringing.