G.O.P. Shift Is Seen on Trade

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/business/worldbusiness/06trade.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

G.O.P. Shift Is Seen on Trade


WASHINGTON, March 5 — When the Democrats swept to victory last fall, after a campaign fueled partly by attacks on President Bush’s trade policies, trade deals promoted by the administration seemed doomed in the new Congress. But that was then.

In the last week, the administration and its Republican allies on Capitol Hill have signaled a new willingness to work with Democrats to try to secure their support for three pending trade deals — with Panama, Peru and Colombia. The focus of their talks has been guarantees for the rights of workers in countries with which the United States has negotiated trade accords, including a ban on child labor and forced labor.

“There’s no question that there’s been a change on the Republican side,” Representative Charles B. Rangel, the New York Democrat who is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said Monday. “They refused to talk about these things before, and now they’re talking.”

But it is still not clear how Democrats will respond. Mr. Rangel said that they remained highly skeptical about signs of Republican flexibility on trade and that he had not seen anything “acceptable to a broad number of members” on his side.

“The question will be whether, at the end of the day, things really have changed,” he added. “So far the answer would be no.”

more...and...


Bush to Set Out Shift in Agenda on Latin Trip

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/world/americas/06latin.html

[Kolesar]

1. You don't need a focus group to know this issue resonates with voters

Losing jobs to dictatorial China, losing healthcare, environmental laws, etc. The best part is that this is all "Democratic messaging": a healthy skepticism toward the corporate-party.

[damntexdem]

2. Rights to unionization and environmental protection also need to be parts of the agreements.

Maybe that way, some Latin American countries can try to reign in U.S. abuses in those areas. ;-)

[necso]

3. Yeah, sure,

and enforcement will be a real breeze.

(not)