The May 10, 2007, congressional-executive branch agreement, labeled "A New Trade Policy for America," establishes a bipartisan foundation of confidence and trust and provides new language for pending free trade agreements (FTAs). Most important is the accord on inclusion of core labor standards,...

Imports pour into the United States, up by 79 percent in six years. The trade deficit more than doubles. The House of Representatives solidly rejects a bill that would liberalize global and regional trade and endorses import quotas for a major manufactured product by a two-to-one margin....

From 1975 through 1993, five US presidents were granted fast-track trade negotiating authority by the Congress. This authority has enabled them to submit legislation implementing trade agreements to Congress under procedures that assure an up-or-down vote, without amendments, within a limited...