WHAT'S THE SPANISH FOR "WHAT STEEL TARIFFS?":

Bush trade agenda getting help from an unlikely ally: Hugo Chávez (Steven R. Weisman, October 23, 2007, NY Times)

The Bush administration has an unlikely new ally in its international trade agenda: Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan president, who a habit of denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

President George W. Bush - facing opposition to proposed trade accords with Peru, Panama and Colombia from labor unions, advocacy groups and most Democrats - has unleashed an intensive campaign to win approval for these deals, arguing that they would strengthen capitalism and democracy and weaken Chávez in a volatile region.

The campaign includes trips to Colombia with Democratic and Republican lawmakers by Commerce Secretary Carlos Guttierez and Susan Schwab, the administration's top trade envoy, and a separate push by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice emphasizing security interests in Latin America.

At least with some Democrats, a few of whom have traveled to Colombia with Bush officials, the arguments are persuasive.

On trade W combines the best of Reagan and Clinton, not just initiating the talks but securing the agreements.

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 23, 2007 3:41 PM