Trading Positions

A Look Back At Obama’s  Flip-Flops On Trade

FLOP: OBAMA CALLED FOR CONGRESS TO PASS THE TRADE DEALS “RIGHT NOW” President Obama Said That Passing Trade Deals Is “Something That Congress Could Do Right Now” To Create Jobs. “Trade deals. You know, trade deals haven’t always been good for America. There have been times where we haven’t gotten a fair deal out of our trade deals. But we’ve put together a package that is going to allow us to start selling some Chevys and some Fords to Korea so that -- we don’t mind having Hyundais and Kias here, but we want some ‘Made in America’ stuff in other countries. That’s something that Congress could do right now.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks By The President In A Town Hall Meeting, Cannon Falls, MN, 8/15/11) FLIP: BUT OBAMA HAD THE TRADE DEALS SITTING ON HIS DESK FROM DAY 1 The Wall Street Journal: “In Order For Congress To Ratify Free-Trade Agreements, The White House Must First Send The Signed Deals To The Other End Of Pennsylvania Avenue.” (Editorial, “The Biggest Trade Barrier,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/20/11) · The Pending Trade Deals Are Still Sitting On The President’s Desk, Thus Blocking Congressional Action On Them. “On his three-state tour in the Midwest this week, Mr. Obama repeatedly told audiences that the Korea, Colombia and Panama free-trade deals would all be law by now if not for an obstructionist Congress. Passing the deals is something Congress ‘could do right now,’ he said. Except that's not true. Congress can't pass the agreements ‘right now’ because it doesn't have them. They are still sitting on the President's desk. Seriously.” (Editorial, “The Biggest Trade Barrier,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/20/11) In An Awkward Moment, Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest Was Surprised By News That The White House Had Not Sent The Deals To Congress. “If you are surprised to learn this, you are not alone. White House deputy press secretary Josh Earnest only learned the news on Friday during a press conference. Asked why the FTAs haven't been sent, he responded, ‘We have not sent them over?’” (Editorial, “The Biggest Trade Barrier,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/20/11) Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest Is Caught Unaware That The White House Has Not Sent Trade Bills. Q: “Why does the White House keep telling Congress to move on the free trade bills if they haven’t even -- if you guys haven’t even sent them over?” EARNEST: “I don’t -- have we not sent them over?” Q: “No.” EARNEST: “Well, I know that there have been” -- (laughter) – Q: “Gotcha.” (Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest, Washington, D.C., 8/12/11) Research: www.gop.com