Sen. Kevin Cramer also defended international trade tariffs, a key policy point of former President Donald Trump. "The very idea that we wouldn't use tariffs on a country
that's dumping on our country, products too cheaply, that's exactly what tariffs are for, is to defend our industries in the United States of America," Cramer said.
Christiansen said Cramer did not fight for North Dakota soybean farmers who saw Asian export markets vanish during the Trump administration in retaliation for U.S. tariffs.
Cramer said he sought waivers, some of which were granted, to help mitigate the effect of tariffs on North Dakota farmers.
Q: What role should government play in boosting the economy?
A: Get out of the way and facilitate global relationships. Lower taxes and rollback regulations.
Q: What changes should be made to the tax code?
A: Simpler and lower. Support families by encouraging marriage and children. Flatter and lower.
Source: Heritage Alliance iVoterGuide: 2018 North Dakota Senate race
, Nov 6, 2018
Tariffs on China are the one tool we have
Q: Support President Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?
Kevin Cramer (R): "I would prefer a more measured approach." But they are "the one tool [Trump] has," so support them & present a united front for negotiations.
Heidi Heitkamp (D): No. They "severely limit our ability to build the international support need to keep China in check." Retaliatory actions will hurt North Dakota.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on North Dakota Senate race
, Oct 9, 2018
Implement USMCA for improved North American trade.
Cramer voted YEA USMCA Implementation Act
Summary from Congressional Record and Wikipedia:Vote to amend the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and establish the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Rather than a wholly new agreement, it has been characterized as `NAFTA 2.0`; final terms were negotiated on September 30, 2018 by each country. The agreement is scheduled to come into effect on July 1, 2020.
Case for voting YES by Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL); (Dec. 19, 2019)The USMCA includes stronger protections for American workers and enforceable labor standards, as well as environmental protections. It eliminates the Trump Administration`s threat that the US could walk away entirely from the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, which would devastate US jobs and our economy.
Case for voting NO by Jared Huffman (D-CA); (Dec. 19, 2019) Democratic negotiators did a lot to improve Donald Trump`s weak trade deal, especially in terms of labor standards and enforcement, but the final deal did not reach the high standard that I had hoped for. The NAFTA renegotiations were a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lift labor and environmental standards across the continent--to lock in serious climate commitments with two of our largest trading partners and dramatically improve labor standards and enforcement to slow the rise of outsourcing.
Legislative outcome: Bill Passed (Senate) (89-10-1) - Jan. 16, 2020; bill Passed (House) (385-41-5) - Dec. 19, 2019; signed at the G20 Summit simultaneously by President Trump, Mexican President Enrique Nieto, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Nov. 30, 2018
Source: Congressional vote 19-HR5430 on Dec 19, 2019