By Reid J. Epstein CONNECT Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson said Friday that he supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement negotiated by the White House – aligning himself more with the GOP’s establishment wing than with the social conservatives who have powered his campaign. More In Election 2016
Protesters Target Donald Trump's Saturday Night Live Show Capital Journal Friday PM: Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline Hillary Clinton Backs Shorter Mandatory Minimum Sentences Guide to the Fox Business Network-Wall Street Journal GOP Debate Keystone Reactions: Presidential Candidates Split on Party Lines
Mr. Carson’s backing of the 12-nation Pacific trade deal places him at odds with Donald Trump, his chief rival for support among anti-establishment Republicans. Mr. Carson had expressed skepticism about the TPP, saying in a June interview with the Huffington Post that he would not give President Barack Obama “fast-track” authority to negotiate the deal.
Now, a day after the White House posted the text of the TPP deal online, Mr. Carson’s campaign said Friday that he supports the final product.
Mr. Carson, spokesman Doug Watts said, “believes the agreement does help to level the playing field in key markets and is important to improve our ties to trading partners in Asia as a counterbalance to China’s influence in the region.” Mr. Watts said Mr. Carson is “now inclined to support TPP, with reservations.”
Mr. Carson’s new support for the trade deal comes as the Republican Party’s decades-long support for free trade is splintering. Mr. Trump is leading a wing of anti-trade candidates that includes social conservatives Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who had backed the “fast-track” legislation aimed at expediting TPP approval, backed away from the bill because he said Republicans couldn’t trust Mr. Obama and said approving the deal would open American companies to increased foreign competition and boost illegal immigration.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told the Wall Street Journal last month that he opposes the TPP unless it includes enforceable rules to prevent currency manipulation.
Still backing the trade legislation are the party’s establishment wing candidates: Sen. Marco Rubio and former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida and Govs. John Kasich of Ohio and Chris Christie of New Jersey.
Mr. Rubio’s spokesman said that although he backed the bill granting Mr. Obama fast-track trade authority this summer, he has not decided whether to support TPP legislation.
POSTER COMMENT: This does not strike me as a very prudent political move. 