The Republican Party platform is now endorsing a policy on international trade that more closely resembles comments made by their presidential nominee, Donald Trump, than what platforms have said in the past. The new platform calls for “agreements that put America first.” It also says a Republican President “will fight for parity in trade agreements, and will be ready to implement countervailing duties if other countries refuse to cooperate.” The Republican Party has supported trade agreements in the past, and its 2012 platform said a Republican President would complete negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The apparent change in trade support comes despite the official platform saying directly that “America is the largest ag exporter in the world, and those exports are vital for other sectors of the economy.” The Republican Party says each dollar of ag exports generates another $1.27 in business activity.
Source: NAFB News Service