NEVERMIND THE LEADERS OF ENGLAND, ISRAEL, CANADA, JAPAN, GERMANY, FRANCE, ITALY, ETC.... (via GlenDryfoos)

Pass the Colombian Trade Pact (New York Times, 11/18/08)

We don’t say it all that often, but President Bush is right: Congress should pass the Colombian free-trade agreement now. [...]

We believe that the trade pact would be good for America’s economy and workers. Rejecting it would send a dismal message to allies the world over that the United States is an unreliable partner and, despite all that it preaches, does not really believe in opening markets to trade. There is no more time to waste. If the lame-duck Congress does not approve the trade pact this year, prospects would dim considerably since it would lose the cover of the rule (formerly known as fast track) that provides for an up-or-down, no-amendment vote.

EU reaches deal on farm reforms (BBC, 11/20/08)

EU farm ministers have agreed to reform agricultural policy by shifting more subsidies away from production and liberalising the dairy market.

The deal on reforming the Common Agricultural Policy came on Thursday after marathon all-night talks.

More subsidies will be transferred to conservation, reducing the traditional EU incentives for farmers to produce.

Milk quotas will be raised initially, but later scrapped, in the biggest overhaul of farm policy since 2003.

The UR really can't afford to be to the Left of the EU and the Gray Lady. Having won the election it's time to chiv the unions and the anti-globalization whackos.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 20, 2008 9:38 AM