Protectionism will cut US jobs, says Bush

“More exports support better and higher-paying jobs,” the President said. “And to keep our economy expanding, we need to keep expanding trade.”

His radio address followed a speech on trade that he delivered on Friday in Miami. Bush also granted interviews this week to business-oriented news organisations.

Since Democrats took control of Congress in January, it has not approved any free trade agreements that the administration has negotiated, and it has allowed Bush’s authority to negotiate future deals under expedited procedures to expire.

Before lawmakers now are agreements with Peru and Panama, considered likely to pass, and with Colombia and South Korea, both seen as precarious. The deal with Colombia is in trouble over human rights issues and there is strong opposition to the South Korea agreement because of barriers erected by Seoul to keep out US autos and beef.

The administration already has reached agreement with Democrats to include tougher language on protecting worker rights and the environment. But critics say five consecutive years of record US trade deficits have played a major role in the loss of more than 3 million manufacturing jobs since Bush took office in 2001.

“I know many Americans feel uneasy about new competition and worry that trade will cost jobs,” Bush said.

“So the federal government is providing substantial funding for trade adjustment assistance that helps Americans make the transition from one job to the next. We are working to improve federal job-training programs. And we are providing strong support for America’s community colleges, where people of any age can go to learn new skills for a better, high-paying career.”

He said the deals would level the playing field for American businesses and farmers, many of which now face high tariffs on exported products while other countries enjoy relatively open access to US markets. And he argued that freer trade with allies serves ‘America’s security and moral interests’ around the globe.

“Expanding trade will help our economy grow,” Bush said. “So I call on Congress to act quickly and get these agreements to my desk.”

From the homepage

Rs 80 paid for every fraud voter deletion application in Aland seat, finds Karnataka SIT

Dalit man in Lucknow forced to ‘lick ground’ over urination claim, allege kin; accused arrested

Bengal SIR ahead, TMC cranks up rank and file: ‘Go with BLOs, check deletion of voters’