Free Trade -- Fair Trade
Throughout my career of public service to West Virginia, I have found reason to be skeptical about the ability of administrations -- Democratic and Republican -- to negotiate and monitor international trade agreements. In my experience, U.S. trade policies have been influenced far too heavily by diplomatic interests and concern for the welfare of our trading partners. Too little consideration has been given to domestic needs and the jobs of Americans, too much to the economies and political problems of other nations.

West Virginia is feeling the pinch of ill-conceived trade policies. Our steel industry, for example, is currently suffering cutbacks and layoffs. The community of Weirton has been particularly hard hit. Hundreds of employees of Weirton Steel have been laid off as a result of the dumping of low-priced foreign steel on our shores, leaving many hardworking families in tenuous circumstances in the new year.

But steelmakers are not alone in suffering the consequences of poorly conceived trade policies. Numerous other West Virginia industries have experienced similar trade-related adversity. The glass industry, clothing manufacturers, the makers of leather goods, and even apple growers, have seen their share of trade-induced difficulties. In too many cases, businesses have closed their doors and the jobs that they once provided have been shipped overseas. Moreover, the communities that once were built around these industries have seen significant losses of revenue, decreases in population, and a decline in their ability to provide basic services for their citizens.

My disappointment in previous U.S. trade negotiations led me to vote against GATT and NAFTA, and spurred me to draft legislation establishing a commission to study and recommend steps to reduce our nation's growing trade deficit. Further, the evidence of the failings of our trade policies has hardened my opposition to fast-track negotiating procedures that would severely limit the Senate's ability to influence trade policies.

There is something to be said for free trade. But in my experience, free trade has rarely been fair trade where American manufacturers and American jobs are concerned.

Trade wars have scarred a long list of businesses, and currently the battle lines are drawn for skirmishes involving steel. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose, but, thus far, I am unimpressed by the Administration's pallid remedies. So, as the Administration considers further steps to address the steel crisis, I will keep up the pressure to ensure that our steel industry and our steelworkers keep working to forge the future of our nation.
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February 10, 1999