John Boehner, August 6, 2004

It’s not unusual for partisan politics to trump sound policy in Washington -- especially during an election year. It’s true that in the past year Congress and the President have crafted a Medicare prescription drug benefit and provided more tools for our Armed Forces, including much-needed body armor along with armored vehicles produced right here in the Eighth Congressional District.

During an election year, unfortunately, these legislative victories are exceptions to the rule. For example, Congress (and more specifically, the U.S. Senate) has not been able to send President Bush a national energy plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, legislation to make permanent his tax cuts, or measures to help reduce health care costs by pressing for legal reform or by allowing small businesses to pool their resources and purchase less costly insurance for their employees. Why? It’s just one of the frustrating realities of DC politics during an even-numbered year.

However, something interesting has "flown below the radar screen," steering clear of this year’s politics - much to most everyone’s surprise, including mine. For the past several months, members of the Bush Administration have spent a considerable amount of time and energy working on international trade agreements that will benefit millions here in the United States, from farmers to manufacturers. Progress on the issue of international trade is significant in itself. The fact that this progress has occurred during a polarizing election year is even more remarkable.

Remember the free trade talks that took place in Seattle five years ago? With all of the crazed protests, the violence, and the looting? The fact that we have avoided a repeat of these types of incidents during this heavily political season demonstrates to me just how committed President Bush is to sticking to his goal of expanding markets as much as possible for American businesses.

Several weeks ago, I wrote a column in this paper about Congress’ approval of an Australian free trade agreement which practically eliminates all barriers to American products into that country, creating a larger market for U.S. manufacturing companies. Since then, Congress continued the momentum by approving another important free trade agreement, this time with Morocco.

Now we’ve received word from the Bush Administration that a major step forward has been taken in the 147 nation-strong World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations. These discussions seemed to be on "life support" only a year ago, so the fact that progress has been made is both unexpected and much welcomed. Farmers here in Ohio and across the nation should take note of this important development. In the long-run, a global agreement through the WTO would have the most profound and positive trade impact ever on our farm community.

Imagine if you owned a shop but only were allowed to sell to consumers living in your hometown. That would be rather unfair and restricting, to say the least. The President and his trade negotiators understand this logic. Trade increases prosperity by allowing American companies and farmers to compete internationally. The wider and more open that competition could be, the greater the opportunities would become. In the past half century, the world economy has grown 6-fold, in part because trade has expanded 16-fold. And all of this has taken place without a major world free trade agreement in place. Just consider the possibilities if one existed.

The content of the next Farm Bill -- due in 2007 -- will be based largely on what continues to happen during WTO negotiations over the next several years. So I urge our agriculture community to track the progress of these talks. In the meantime I’ll do my best to keep you informed as well.

In short, I’m encouraged about the future of these talks because of the steady leadership shown by members of the Bush Administration during the very difficult year in which they’re negotiating. Politics may temporarily derail some of the work we’re doing in Washington, but farmers, manufacturers, and American employers and employees alike should be pleased that it hasn’t halted the momentum behind free trade.

Congressman John Boehner, a Republican, represents Ohio's Eighth Congressional District, which includes Miami, Butler, Preble, Darke, and Mercer Counties.