This makes sense. Free trade is not, and should not be, a partisan issue. Free trade benefits all Americans, Republican and Democrat. It provides all of us with a better standard of living. Free trade serves common American interests by reducing poverty abroad.
Free trade enhances common American values by promoting democracy and freedom.
So, trade is not a Republican or Democratic issue, it is a vital issue for all of us. Now, I know that a lot of Democratic members are worried about labor rights and the environment. They would like to link these issues to trade. I want to make this as clear as I can today. While I may not support linkage, I'm open to looking at these issues and finding a way to bridge the gap between us.