I oppose all such agreements which do not give citizens of the trading countries the same freedoms Americans have to engage in enterprise. The WTO is the furthest thing from free trade. Instead, it is an egregious attack upon our national sovereignty, and this is the reason why we must vigorously oppose it. No nation can maintain its sovereignty if it surrenders its authority to an international collective. And, since sovereignty is linked inextricably to freedom, our very notion of American liberty is at stake in this issue.
Free trade means trade without interference from governmental or quasi-governmental agencies.
The WTO is a quasi-governmental agency and hence it is not accurate to describe it as a vehicle of free trade. The WTO is nothing other than a vehicle for managed trade whereby the politically connected, campaign contributors and fat cats get the benefits of exercising their position as a preferred group. Preferred that is, by the Washington and international political and bureaucratic establishments. Generally, trade restrictions, such as the type currently being used against Cuba, Vietnam, and North Korea, are unduly oppressive to American citizens and counterproductive. Therefore, I support ending restrictions against travel to and investment in Cuba, Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, and North Korea and other countries.