Paul Ryan on Trade Policy

Summary

Congressman Ryan is a strong supporter of free trade policies. He often speaks about how these policies benefit the US and other countries and help provide access to markets in other countries for the people of those countries and ours. This includes agreements with Columbia, Peru, Oman, and other countries.

In 2005, Congressman Ryan spoke often about the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). He stated that a trade imbalance already existed in that Columbia already had access to US markets while US companies did not have access to Columbian markets. He argued that passing the agreement would remove tariffs on our goods entering the country. He also noted that companies already had an incentive to leave for these countries as there were no tariffs on products entering this nation so moving there would eliminate the tariffs into Columbia and no impose any new one. Passing the CAFTA eliminated that imbalance. He also noted that Columbia was out partner in the war on drugs and promoting commerce there would help the legitimate business in that nation.

In 2005, Congressman Ryan spoke in opposition to the idea that the US should leave the WTO. He noted that the Obama administration was using the WTO to address improper activity by China and that leaving the WTO would not change China's behavior and would then us without a mechanism to address these problems.

In supporttng the free trade agreements in Peru and Columbia, Congressman Ryan called those agreements "no-brainers" in that those countries already had access to our markets while we were being kept out of theirs.  

On his official campaign website, Congressman Ryan stated that the goal of promoting market access for American farmers, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers is a goal that both Republicans and Democrats can and should share, and the bipartisan passage of the South Korean and other FTAs will spur economic growth and create jobs that are needed durin difficult times.

CAFTA - Already One Way Trade

On June 20, 2005 Congressman Ryan spoke on the House floor on the topics of Social Security and CAFTA. When addressing CAFTA, he noted that central American countries already have access to American markets while US goods do not have access to those markets. He asserted that the CAFTA deal achieved that access.

On CAFTA, it is a one-way trade agreement we have today. This makes it two-way. They already have free access to the American markets. We do not have equal access to their markets. They already have lower standards on worker rights, on environment. This raises those standards. If we do not pass CAFTA, they get a free deal. We get no deal. They have low labor rights. If we do pass CAFTA, we not only improve their labor conditions, we improve the enforcement of their labor rights and we give the American worker and the American economy a fair trade deal like we are now giving them.

CAFTA - Already Incentive to Leave

On July 27, 2005 Congressman Ryan spoke on the House floor about his view that CAFTA would equalize the flow of goods between the US and central America. He noted that there was already incentives in place to relocate to central America because tariffs were in place to those products going into Central American countries but not to those coming to America. CAFTA removed those tariffs and thus the incentive to move a company to those nations.

The WTO and Free Trade

On June 9, 2005 Congressman Ryan spoke on the House floor discussing China, WTO, and free trade policies. He argues that staying in the WTO provides a better chance to establish fair trade while withdrawing from the organization leaves no method to address those imbalances.

Oman Free Trade Agreement

On July 20, 2006 Congressman Ryan spoke on the House floor about his views that the Oman Free Trade Agreement should be passed as a matter of national security.

Peru Free Trade Agreement

In November of 2007, Congressman Ryan spoke on the House floor in support of the Peru Free Trade Agreement. He referred to the agreement as a no-brainer and that it would help with the human rights movements in that country and neighboring countries.

Columbia Free Trade Agreement

On April 1, 2008 Congressman Ryan spoke on the House floor about the need to pass the Columbia Free Trade Agreement. He noted that Columbia already had access to our markets while this agreement would give us access to theirs. He stated that Columbia was our ally in the war on drugs and that this agreement would aid the people there in finding an alternative to illegal economic activity.

Trade that Works for Us

On August 16, 2012 Congressman Ryan was speaking in Boston as part of the Presidential campaign. In that speech, he asserted that the US needed trade that worked for us and that President Obama needed to be harsher towards China.

PAUL RYAN: “We also need trade that works for us. We come from manufacturing states. We make things. We grow things. The more goods we manufacture, the more food we grow and sell them overseas, the more good jobs we have here at home. Free trade is a powerful tool for peace and prosperity. But our trading partners need to play by the rules. And this challenge focuses on China. They steal our intellectual property right. They block access to their markets. They manipulate their currency. President Obama promised he would stop these practices. He said he’d go to the mat with China. Instead, they’re treating him like a doormat. We’re not going to let that happen. Mitt Romney and I are going to crack down on China cheating and we’re going to make sure that trade works for Americans. Make things here. Sell them there. Grow things here. Sell them around the world. That creates jobs.”

Official Website Statements

Voting Record

Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)

In July of 2005, the Central American Free Trade Agreement was passed by the House 217-215. The agreement opened free trade agreements with the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Paul Ryan voted in favor of CAFTA.

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

This representative has not been identified as sponsoring or cosponsoring significant legislation related to this title.

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