Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign released a new ad promoting his support for “fair trade,” in contrast with “free trade.”
“I’m going to stand up for fair trade and bring our jobs back from China,” Cruz says in the new ad aimed at Wisconsinites. “We will see wages going up. We”ll see opportunity again. We’ll see a president who will stand with the people of Wisconsin and Americans everywhere.”
But three years ago, Cruz favored a less-protectionist economic approach.
“For economic growth, we know what works: low taxes, less regulation, sound money, and free trade,” Cruz said in a 2013 interview. “Those are the four pillars of sustainable, strong economic growth.”
Cruz’s different message caused complications for the senator last summer, in the midst of his presidential campaign, when he reportedly changed his mind on a trade bill moving through Congress.
Republican front-runner Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized free trade and some of the recently negotiated trade deals with foreign countries.
As the senator works to earn the support of blue-collar voters before Wisconsin’s April 5 primary, he has begun drawing attention to the issue of trade. A new poll of Wisconsin voters shows Cruz leading Trump by double digits.
