One day after releasing the administration’s outline for its 2010 trade policy, which was roundly criticized by free trade opponents, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk told the Christian Science Monitor that the issue should unite rather than divide.
   
“We can’t allow trade to become the next wedge issue,” Kirk said, according to the Christian Science Monitor. 

That, however, is more fantasy than reality and short-lived.   

Soon after the USTR’s office released the report, numerous Congressional Democrats, who have never been able to achieve unanimity on trade issues, expressed their displeasure with the administration’s handling of international trade, perhaps exposing a deep divide in the party and a serious impediment to meaningful action on trade issues. 

“While I appreciate that the President’s Trade Agenda is strong on trade enforcement and reciprocity, there is no emphasis on ensuring that the trade policies we are pursuing actually benefit the United States. We still need Ambassador Kirk to develop an action plan to address any negative effects from existing trade agreements,” Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said in a statement.

A long-time opponent of free trade policies that have cost his state thousands upon thousands of manufacturing jobs, Brown said the administration should support the TRADE Act, which would completely overhaul the way America conducts trade.  By forcing a review of existing trade agreements, the bill also has the potential to improve flawed agreements that are already in place such as the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Kirk, in testimony in front of the Senate Finance Committee, said that it would be unwise for the nation to “take a timeout from trade,” but that is exactly what Brown wishes to do through the TRADE Act.

“The Administration appears to be moving forward on a trade agenda without showing how it would reduce the trade deficit and create new jobs,” he said in a statement.

Other Democrats appear to be just as skeptical of the administration’s proposed trade policies this year.  While some were willing to applaud the administration for at least paying lip service to stronger enforcement of existing trade agreements, they acknowledge that that will do little to stem the tide of job losses created by flawed trade policies.
   
“While I am pleased President Obama’s trade policy agenda includes enforcing our trade agreements and doubling our exports, I urge the Administration to focus more on making manufacturing a priority,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) said in a statement.  “For years, we have lost millions of manufacturing jobs to countries overseas in large part due to our trade policies.”

Others were not as forgiving when it comes to the administration’s enforcement of existing trade policies.   
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) questioned Kirk about the administration’s handling of last year’s influx of defective Chinese-made drywall that destroyed the homes of thousands of Floridians.
   
“We need the U.S. government slamming its fist on the table in dealing with the Chinese,” he said during the hearing.

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