Candidates weaponize free-trade issue

  Hillary Clinton hardened her stance against the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement Saturday in a last-ditch effort to prevent Democratic rival Bernie Sanders from riding a wave of populist anger to another victory Tuesday in a key industrial state. [Doug Palmer| March 12, 2016 |Politico] Her comments at a Youngstown, Ohio rally ratcheted up her criticism…

Which Side Are You On, Hillary?

“We’ve got to stand up for unions,” Hillary Clinton declared in her closing statement during the Democratic debate in Milwaukee last month. The line offered the labor-friendly audience a comforting rebuke to Gov. Scott Walker’s relentless attacks on Wisconsin’s unions. It generated passionate applause. [Dan Kaufman| March 12, 2016 |The New York Times] But Mrs.…

Trump vows to ‘rip up’ all trade agreements

  Republican front-runner Donald Trump on Thursday said he would rip up all existing free trade agreements if he wins the White House.  [Vicki Needham| March 3, 2016 |The Hill] Trump argued that he would greatly improve U.S. relationships with nations such as Mexico and China while lowering trade deficits. “I’m going to rip up those trade…