McCain Travels To Latin America To Talk Trade

Tue. July 01, 2008; Posted: 10:06 AM

(RTTNews) - Presidential hopeful John McCain is heading to Latin America this week to discuss a free trade, a touchy subject for many workers in the United States whose jobs have been shipped to countries with cheaper labor costs. He has said he wants to thank Latin American countries for their efforts in fighting drug trafficking, part of the reason he supports the Colombian Free Trade Agreement.

"I want to go to Colombia as it is a vital ally in our struggle against the scourge of drugs, a great amount of cocaine that comes into the United States of America, as we know, comes from Colombia," the Arizona Senator said. "Colombia has shown success, and I am strongly in favor of the free trade agreement between the United States and the nation of Colombia which is being blocked in the House of Representatives from even a vote."

The presumptive Republican nominee said Monday that he is working to convince struggling Americans that free trade is the best move for the United States and its economy. This includes support of the North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico which some have blamed for a decline in manufacturing jobs in the United States as companies sought out cheaper labor outside the U.S.

"I have to convince them the consequences of protectionism and isolationism could be damaging to their future," McCain said in Pennsylvania, where he campaigned Monday.

Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama has often called for a renegotiation of NAFTA, even threatening to pull the United States out of the pact citing environmental and labor concerns. However, McCain stressed the importance of sticking to his word, despite changing his mind on several issues in recent weeks like offshore drilling and tax cuts for the nation's wealthy.

"I understand it's very tough. But for me to give up my advocacy of free trade would be a betrayal of trust," the presumptive Republican nominee said. "And the most precious commodity I have with the American people is that they trust me."

McCain will meet with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday he will journey to Mexico to meet with President Felipe Calderon before venturing to Arizona Thursday to celebrate the July 4th holiday.

While in Mexico, McCain said that he would focus on immigration, a politically sensitive topic for the Arizona Senator.

"I want to work with the Mexican government on securing our border," he said. "It would be so much easier if we had the ability to trust our neighbors to the south as much as we trust our neighbors to the north as far as cooperation on border security is concerned."

Overall, McCain will focus on fostering relationships with Latin America, as well as demonstrating his ability to work on foreign policy.

"I think it's important our friends and neighbors understand our commitment to them," he said. "What happens in Colombia and Mexico is very important to the future of America."

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