Only Biden Can Challenge Trump on Trade

[comradebillyboy]

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/08/defending-free-trade-is-bidens-best-bet/596197/

How can Biden win the Hawkeye State? He can start by doing something Democratic presidential candidates haven’t done in many years: forcefully defend free trade.

Trade has so far been a second-tier issue in the Democratic presidential race, overshadowed by health care, immigration, and guns. But with Donald Trump’s tariffs sending the stock market plummeting and stoking fears of a recession, that may change. Which offers Biden an opportunity.

Biden has long supported free-trade deals: He voted for NAFTA and permanent normal trade relations with China, and during the Obama administration he lobbied Congress to back the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). But so far during this presidential campaign, like many former Democratic free traders, he’s gone wobbly. He’s said he no longer supports the TPP as originally negotiated, and his campaign has ducked questions about whether he would repeal Trump’s tariffs.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. It's good to repair Trump's tariff damage for farmers, BUT

don't neglect energizing progressives in other tossup states.

In other words, don't be moderate on everything!

Not sure Iowa is very important for Electoral College strategy anyway

[ucrdem]

3. A win in Iowa saves a lot of time and money needed for November.

Running on free-er trade is a winner in farm states.

[SharonClark]

6. You mean among the Iowa farmers who are hurting and will still vote for Trump

because they believe him because he's not a dem?

Democrats will win Iowa in the suburbs, not the farm fields.

[ucrdem]

2. Great point.

I think maybe we're ready for the TPP this time.

[SidDithers]

4. Trump is so bad on trade that anyone can challenge him...nt

Sid

[comradebillyboy]

5. Two of our leading candidates are also very protectionist

with respect to international trade.