I sat in on Rep. Hunter’s bloggers conference call today which was hosted by Right Wing News John Hawkins. Rep. Hunter was in Iowa today touring a Rockwell-Collins defense plant.
My impression of Rep. Hunter has always been as one of the few honest and yes “real” politicians. This conference call only served to reinforce that impression. Rep. Hunter was quite and friendly and open with all of us, and he stayed until every question was answered.
Here are the highlights:
-Rep. Hunter plans to run on a platform of strong national defense, enforcing our borders, and making trade a “two-way” street between the United States and our trading partners.
-Rep. Hunter’s trade plan would serve to “level the playing field” in international trade by renegotiating or withdrawing the United States from GATT which prevents the US from refunding the taxes that manufacturing firms pay as other countries do for their own domestic manufacturer’s.
Currently, nations such as China refund the 17% domestic manufacturing firms pay in taxes (VAT’s), while assessing a 17% penalty on goods imported from the United States (the rate is 15% for Mexico and 18% for England). This disparity has led countries with even higher labor costs to enjoy a trade surplus with the United States. Rep. Hunter proposes leveling the same kind of protective tariffs on goods imported into the US which he believes would lead to the return of higher paying manufacturing jobs and stop the outsourcing of R&D which follows firms overseas.
-Hunter condemned the Pelosi “shadow presidency” and stated that he concurs with former Democratic Senate legend Scoop Jackson that foreign policy should leave US shores with “one voice”.
Hunter’s staff indicated that this would be the first of many blogger conference calls. As someone who deeply respects Rep. Hunter, I look forward to future opportunities to present his views to my fellow GOP’ers who may not have had a chance to get to know him.
April 5th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Hunter would be advised to read an economics textbook on the impact of what he is proposing. This is the kind of stupid economics that should remain in the Democratic camp.
April 5th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Hunter’s a great guy. I think that, after Romney, Hunter would likely be the best president among our group of contenders.
April 5th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Since when did so many conservatives abandon free markets?
April 5th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Free competitive markets don’t exist. We live in a second-best world. You could make an argument that trade distortions caused by China (low yuan) and Japan (nearly zero interest rare) are turning the US economy into a Hedge fund.
Most of the long-term decline manufacturing is due to increased efficiency (more output with fewer workers) than unfair trade policies. So you can’t tariff your way into prosperity. Protecting companies from competition just doesn’t help us. However a lot of the US economy’s instabilities are caused by other nations taking advantage of us. I’d be glad if we had a President that was willing to play hardball with China and Japan to get a better deal than we currently have.
At least Hunter isn’t arguing for a Fortress America, just less destabilizing policies from China and Japan.
April 5th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
econ grad stud,
Exactly. Free trade makes sense, and leads to more optimal results for everyone than protectionism. But that assumes “free trade” is actually free. Where free trade means, “we’ll show you our belly while you kick us in the ribs,” it makes no sense at all. Sure, productivity advances have led to a reduction in the demand for some labor. But if domestic output was increasing along with worldwide demand, MI and OH might not be in the dire economic straights they’re in right now.
Real free trade requires a federal government willing to stand up to our adversaries, and even to some degree our friends in Tokyo, and get them to open their markets, reduce their tarriffs, and stop subsidizing firms to export here. On a level playing field, I still believe the American manufacurer can build a superior product at a good price. Hunter is the only GOP candidate carrying this message: a message that will have unique resonance in the one area of the country that is a truly meaningful “swing area,” the upper midwest.
April 5th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
A conservative message that addresses working class economic angst is the only way to defeat the Democrats. Unfortunately most of the GOP candidates are too busy kissing up to Club for Growth to admit the US economy has deep instabilities and is failing many workers. Addressing the debt (and the distortions it is causing) and getting Japan and China to play ball would be a good start to undercutting Democrat’s populist message.
If Duncan Hunter is running on that platform he could play better in Iowa than we are expecting.
April 6th, 2007 at 12:17 am
I would actually prefer if we implemented fewer tariffs and opened up markets to help spur economic growth. Not only would it benefit the almighty consumer, but we’d start making friends again with much of the world. Imagine if we started importing sugar at pre-tariff levels, how much our Southern neighbors would warm up to us instead of Hugo Chavez. Though the corn industry would never want that since they got the alternative fuel monopoly here.
Back to Hunter, his foreign policy cred without a doubt qualifies him for a short list for veep. Imagine a really effective Dick Cheney without all the liabilities.
April 6th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Free trade with the other side putting up barriers and us NOT, is far better than us putting up matching barriers.
Anyone buying into “fair trade” and “trade wars” is endorsing the anti-capitalistic economics of the Democratic party.
Get yourself a copy of Hazlett’s “Economics in One Lesson” to learn what a stupid fallacy you’ve been sold.
April 6th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
David B
If you think economics can be mastered in one lesson, I think it’s you who’s bought the fallacy, my friend.
April 7th, 2007 at 3:16 am
“Free trade with the other side putting up barriers and us NOT, is far better than us putting up matching barriers.”
No offence, but in Australasia we would say this of the USA. While we have no barriers to free trade at all (and Consumers enjoy the benefits, although the manufacturing industry has shrunk) it is almost impossible to sell our produce (mostly farming) the USA because of the enormous barriers put up by the USA to protect their own.
Anyway, its nice to know that what goes around comes around. Sounds like you guys are losing out in the same way we lose out to you.