A HELPFUL, IF UNINTENTIONAL ADMISSION...:

The National-Security Case for Free Trade: 'At no time in human history has a nation of diminished economic vitality maintained its military and security primacy.' (TOM DONILON, 10/05/11, WSJ)

South Korea and the U.S. have a deep and longstanding alliance, and our trade agreement will strengthen the economic arm of that relationship, putting it on par with our close bilateral military and security cooperation in the face of the threat from North Korea. It will buttress our efforts in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as well as promote a broader and more influential U.S. presence as several Asian countries pursue regional economic integration.

This is increasingly important as Asian countries secure preferential trade agreements among themselves and with other trading partners: 180 are currently in force, 20 are awaiting implementation, and 70 are under negotiation. U.S. companies and workers cannot risk our country falling behind in these growing markets.

Passage of the agreements will also signal our commitment to mutually beneficial policies in the Americas. Colombia is a strategic partner in the fight against transnational crime, and our bilateral economic integration will help support the aggressive reform agenda that President Juan Manuel Santos is pursuing. Twenty percent of our trade to Asia passes through Panama, and the U.S.-Panama trade agreement will strengthen a historically strong relationship.

Enhancing America's global leadership lies at the heart of President Obama's national security strategy. This means building stronger ties with our allies and key partners, a vibrant economy here at home with more jobs for American workers, and more opportunities to tap key markets. Passage of these agreements is critical to achieving these goals.

...that Democratic opposition to free trade has caused us to fall behind the last six years.

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