Doing the free-trade mambo

[Omaha Steve]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004110814_riley07.html

Monday, January 7, 2008

When Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Seattle in April 2006, a reporter asked Gov. Christine Gregoire if she brought up the question of human rights.

"Rather than pressing a specific agenda," Gregoire said, "I simply believe we serve, with the warm welcome he received today, as a role model of what democracy can mean for that country."

In May, while Democratic presidential candidates' political rhetoric against free trade heated up, Gregoire signed what is believed to be the first bilateral agreement between a state and China. The pact promotes two-way investment.

Such is the nuanced approach of the nation's most trade-dependent state — one in three jobs depends on international trade. In 2006, Washington's exports were worth $8,300 per person. The national average is only $3,300.

Generations ago, Washington's business and government leaders decided to build the economy by looking out as well as looking in. Boeing, Microsoft, Weyerhaeuser, Starbucks, apple growers and soft-white-wheat farmers have built strong trading relationships with many other countries.

That's why it is a particular shame trade-bashing presidential candidates, especially on the Democratic side, haven't had to spend much time making their cases before trade-sophisticated voters here.

FULL story at link.