Rick Santorum on Trade Policy

Summary

Senator Santorum is supportive of free trade policies and agreements, but throughout his career he has become more cynical towards the intentions of nations seeking these agreements with the US. He has stated that free trade agreements have both economic and national security benefits in that they build relationships that are important from a national security point of view.

In 1994, Senator Santorum stated that the new trade rules embodied in the Uruguay round agreements would provide real opportunities for U.S. industries, workers, and consumers. He stated that once they are fully in place, the GATT agreements will add tens of billions of dollars annually to our gross domestic product and create hundreds of thousands of additional jobs across the country. He stated that these agreements enhance our ability to compete globally in the areas where we are most competitive and where we face the most imposing barriers to trade, and that the accords mean lower tariffs on agriculture and manufactured products, expanded protections for the intellectual property of U.S. firms, and a new set of rules to govern disputes more effectively.

In June of 2005, Senator Santorum singed onto a resolution that stated that the President should negotiate and sign CAFTA and other free trade agreements that are comprehensive in scope in order to ensure that the entire United States economy can benefit from new market opportunities provided by such agreements.

In September of 2005, Senator Santorum signed on to Senate Concurrent Resolution 55. This resolution cited a number of trade practice violations and attempts by several nations to circumvent and weaken rules to protect countries from unfaor trade practices. The resolution found tha the US should not sign onto the Doha round of trade negotiations.

In 2011, Senator Santorum stated that he had not supported NAFTA because he did not believe that Mexico was going to be a particularly trustworthy trading partner and that the program had been at best, a wash.

Senator Santorum voted in favor of the Oman Free Trade Agreement and CAFTA, but against NAFTA.

 

Uraguay Round Agreement

On November 29, 1994 Congressman Santorum spoke on the House floor about his support for the Uruguay round agreements and his support for trade in general.

 

S Res 169

On June 13, 2005 Senator Santorum supported Senate Resolution 169. The resolution found that the US should pursue free trade agreements.

 

Doha Round

On September 29, 2005 Senator Santorum co-sponsored S Con Res 55. This resolution called upon the US not to sign onto the Doha round of free trade agreements.

 

Greta Van Susteran Appearance

On August 30, 2011, Senator Santorum appeared on the Greta Van Susteran Show and discussed his economic plan and free trade. He states that NAFTA was at best a wash.

 

Voting Record

Oman Free Trade Agreement

In June of 2006, the Senate passed the Oman Free Trade Agreement 60-34. The agreement conferred free trade status with the country of Oman in the middle-east. Rick Santorum voted in favor of the Oman Free Trade Agreement.

Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)

In July of 2005, the Central American Free Trade Agreement was passed by the Senate 55-45. The agreement opened free trade agreements with the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Rick Santorum voted in favor of CAFTA.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

NAFTA was one of the original free trade agreements and has been the source of much controversy since it's implementation. It passed the house 234-200, with both parties splitting the vote. Rick Santorum voted against NAFTA.

 

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

Session-105; Bill Number-S 1413; Enhancement of Trade, Security, and Human Rights through Sanctions Reform Act - Cosponsor

Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to establish an effective framework for consideration by the legislative and executive branches of unilateral economic sanctions.

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