WHO'S A FREE TRADER NOW? :

Bush Wins Victory as House Passes Trade Legislation (ALISON MITCHELL, July 27, 2002, NY Times)

The House early this morning delivered a major victory to President Bush, voting 215-212 to approve a broad trade package that would give him the authority to negotiate trade deals that he has called essential for economic growth. [...]

The vote was largely along party lines with 190 Republicans and 25 Democrats voting for the bill. 183 Democrats and 27 Republicans opposed it.

Once again we see which is the party of Free Trade. And in a related story : U.S. Proposes to Cut Global Farm Subsidies (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, July 26, 2002)

The Bush administration, criticized overseas for supporting a huge increase in American farm subsidies this year, said today it was prepared to seek reductions worldwide as part of a global trade agreement.

The proposal was included in a negotiating package the administration unveiled in advance of World Trade Organization farm negotiations to resume next week in Geneva.

"This plan is a win for America's farmers, ranchers and consumers and also a win for the global economy," the United States trade representative, Robert B. Zoellick, said at a news conference.

The administration will seek a ban on export subsidies, payments provided to increase foreign sales, and sharp cuts in domestic support provided to farmers to raise production.

Having proven himself willing to protect Amrerican interests, President Bush has allayed fears of Republican lawmakers that trade agreements might punish American goods and put the fear of God in Europeans who thought they could get away with subsidizing their own farmers and industries because we are so committed to free trade for ourselves. Having waved the big stick, we can now talk softly in ensuing negotiations Posted by Orrin Judd at July 27, 2002 8:15 AM