Obama: "I believe in Free Trade" NAFTA

BARACK OBAMA: I believe in free trade, and as somebody who lived overseas, who has family overseas, I've seen what's happened in terms of rising living standards around the globe, and that's a good thing for America, it's good for our national security.

I don't think NAFTA has been good for America, and I never have.

I believe in Free Trade.

...that's a good thing for America, it's good for our national security.

I think we should use the hammer of a potential opt-out as leverage, to ensure that we actually get labor and environmental standards that are enforced.

I believe in Free Trade.

.....But what I refuse to accept is that we have to sign trade deals like the South Korean agreement.

That's why I opposed NAFTA, that's why I voted against CAFTA, that's why it didn't make sense to normalize trade relations with China without asking more from China. I will oppose the Columbia Free Trade Agreement.

SCREEN: "[Obama] said the United State [sic] should work with the World Trade Organization and pursue deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, but the country must be more aggressive about protecting American interests." (Christopher Wills, "Senate Candidates Speak on Farm, Trade Issues," The Associated Press -- 9/9/04)

BARACK OBAMA: That's a good thing for America, It's good for our national security.

I want to be very clear, I don't think NAFTA has been good for America, and I never have.

SCREEN: What does he really believe? Barack Obama Not Ready To Lead

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[uhhuhcheckit]

Just because he believes in Free Trade doesn't mean that he should support NAFTA. NAFTA isn't really free trade. Sure, it says "free trade" in the agreement title, but it doesn't really fulfill that objective. It's like saying someone is unpatriotic for voting against the Patriot Act. The title and meaning don't necessarily correlate as well as one might like.

[stellamaris347]

I don't see the contradiction either. He's saying he supports the basic idea of free trade, but has opposed specific trade agreements, or wants to revise others. I know when I vote on a ballot measure, I may support the basic premise of it, but I look at how it was written, if there will be unintended consequences, etc, and may not vote for it. I like that Obama doesn't just rubberstamp something based on simplistic ideology, he gets into details, thinks with subtlety and foresight.

[JohnRhysMusician]

I am a supporter of Fair and Free Trade, and this goes to show that Obama is an incredible hypocrite. Mitt Romney is right on trade. He has the right balance. Mitt Romney 2012.

[poindexterwitkowsky]

-NAFTA has been used to whipsaw American workers' wages&benefits under the THREAT of job loss. NAFTA hurt the Mexican people because it was written with specific provisions to exclude workers' right to organize& to benefit from wages levels above those of SLAVE labor. NAFTA destroyed family farm subsistence in Mexico& caused a SURGE in ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION to the U.S. OBAMA SHOULD WITHDRAW OUR country from NAFTA & ALL FREE TRADE PURSUITS BECAUSE WITHOUT A MIDDLE CLASS THERE CAN BE NO DEMOCRACY.

[navh2000]

flip flop artist you sound like Glen Beck have you no pride. I don't have any money and I couldn't I just couldn't do this shit, Is money really that important.

[ltrolaren]

Im not an Obama fan, but If FREE trade is fruit, then NAFTA is apples, and Obama is talking oranges! Remember Ross Perot believed in Free Trade, but he was vehemently against NAFTA. By the way, he was right!

[westonsz]

So which is it you shaky politician? I've had enough of free trade here. Paying unemployment for years at a time is bankrupting the government. I thought you represented change. You came here to Ohio and told people you would change these things now you support free trade? Looks like your a liar. People need job right now.

[Nezahualcoyotl7]

SHOULD WE BELIEVE AND TRUST IN PRESIDENT OBAMA?

why yes? or why not?

[johnnybravo234]

@wilkes85 Actually, we get screwed. We are no longer protected by tariffs.