President Says Free Trade Is Key

NEW ORLEANS (AllPolitics, March 18) -- Thirty-four years after John F. Kennedy opened a shipping terminal here, President Bill Clinton did the same today, while echoing the former president's words: the United States has to "trade or fade."

"We need not be afraid of the world toward which we are moving," Clinton said at New Orleans' port, a visit he hoped would build support in one of the few southern states he has a chance to win in November's election.

At issue was Clinton's support for the North American Free Trade Agreement. The measure was long a Republican priority, but Clinton signed it and expended considerable political capital to make it a reality.

Yes, America workers face insecurity in the face of layoffs and lower pay, Clinton acknowledged. But, the port is "a symbol of the decision that you made to reach out to the rest of the world and compete and win," Clinton enthused today.

Some of his advisors fear a political backlash from unions, although Dole, who supports NAFTA as well, easily won Louisiana's March primary. Still, conservative pundit Pat Buchanan won the caucuses held in February, in part due to his assault on free trade.

Louisiana's port supports 95,000 jobs while generating $11.4 billion a year in commerce.

AllPolitics home page