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Guest Commentary: May 15, 2001
Trade and Democracy Are Interconnected
The Honorable Chuck Hagel
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Last week President Bush laid out an aggressive trade agenda for America. Few policy areas will be more critical to the future prosperity of not only the United States, but the world.
Trade is essential to the continued growth of our economy. U.S. exports totaled more than $1 trillion last year, an increase of 12 percent from 1999. Those exports accounted for 11 percent of our GDP in 2000.
The impact and importance of trade extends far beyond our borders. The nations of the world live in a global community -- underpinned by a global economy. We are all directly affected by the development and growth of markets around the world. Stability, security, economics, markets, communications, trade, and investments are all interconnected.
Taking advantage of the opportunities of this hopeful new world will require vision and leadership -- bold Presidential leadership with the vision to see through the haze of the present and into the possibilities of the future. This will require leadership that is wise enough to seize the moment and help move the world forward. Nations of today are not the nations of yesterday. We must rise above past differences and old conflicts. This is not without risk. But the risk must be taken.
Trade connects people. Increased commerce and the bridges it builds has broad implications for human rights, democracy and increased stability and freedom around the world.
Trade binds nations together in strategic and political alliances. Throughout history trade and commerce have been key instruments that have helped break down totalitarian governments and dictatorships, and opened the doors to democracy and higher standards of living for all people -- improved health, better diets, and hope for the future. Trade and international investment have helped pave the way for peace in many areas of the world. Trade and democracy are interconnected. Trade and investment lead to political and economic stability.
The key to this is a strong trade agenda that pursues our interests while balancing them with other priorities.
First and most important is the granting of Trade Promotion Authority to the President. Every day that goes by without this authority is another day of wasted opportunity. We cannot afford for America to stand idle while other nations negotiate trade agreements that give an advantage to the competitors of American goods and services. Congress needs to get this done, and get it done quickly.
We have many other challenges that lie ahead. We need to move the Jordan and Vietnam Trade Agreements through Congress.
We also should look to our own hemisphere. Canada and Mexico are our largest trading partners. American exports to Western Hemisphere nations comprised more than one-third of all U.S. exports in 2000. We must strengthen our ties to our Western Hemisphere neighbors.
This is good for all peoples in this hemisphere. We need to move on renewing the Andean Trade Preference Act this year. And we should pursue a trade agreement with Chile, and a free trade agreement for all the Americas.
We will face another hurdle in again granting normal trade relations to China. Establishing a stable trade relationship with China is in our best interest.
Turning our backs on China will not improve human rights in China, promote greater freedom, or improve the stability in Asia -- rather, it would have a dangerous and negative impact on all these important efforts.
This year we must help lead efforts to launch another round of World Trade Organization negotiations.
The challenges are many, and they are great, but so are the opportunities. President Bush has laid out a strong, forward-looking agenda on trade. He has an excellent team in Ambassador Zoellick, Secretary Evans, and those charged with moving this agenda forward.
I look forward to working with the President and his team on America's trade agenda. It is fundamental to our future.
Trade and investment are building blocks for the world's mutual interests. We have the opportunity to make the world more stable, more secure, more prosperous, and more democratic. Let's not squander this very historic and unique opportunity.
Note: This column has been adapted from a speech Sen. Hagel delivered on the floor of the Senate, May 14, 2001.
 How to contact Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
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