Mitt Romney: Free trade, innovation key to America’s success

Published 6:09 pm Thursday, October 13, 2011

The United States must push for the most productive work force in the world and pursue more free trade to remain a top economic power, Republican presidential hopeful and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney told a crowd of Microsoft employees Thursday.

Romney promised to crack down on international trade “cheaters” like China during his speech, which was held on Redmond’s Microsoft campus in front of 200 employee donors to the company’s political action committee.

“As long as trade rules and regulations are fair, America can compete and win anywhere in the world,” he said.

Romney’s speech was part of a tour through the Puget Sound area Thursday, where he attended a fundraiser at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Seattle.

Romney represented a tough stance on China, saying he would label the nation a “currency manipulator” for intentionally devaluing its money to push their prices down and hurt international competition. Romney said the government has the tools to crackdown on this sort of problem, but has hesitated in doing so.

“We don’t need new legislation; we need a new president,” he said.

Romney proposed a trade policy he called the “Reagan Zone.” He characterized it as a free trade agreement, that would have even fewer barriers than the World Trade Organization. Member nations would have to agree to a number of principles including honestly valuing their currency and honoring intellectual property.

Romney’s speech came as the United States passed into law three new free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Columbia.

Romney saluted the hard work of Microsoft employees and other private enterprises. He lauded the productivity of the American workforce. WIthout the greatest population and landmass, the United States has to depend on productivity and innovation to remain at the forefront of the world economy. He said their efforts will propel the United States forward into the “century of America.”

“With you work, and my work, together we can keep America as it was destined to be, the hope of the earth,” he said.

To see more photos from Romney’s visit, check out staff photographer Chad Coleman’s photo blog, Focus Northwest.