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To open up new markets and create American jobs, we need to make global bilateral free trade agreements a priority as they were under the Clinton administration.

A key U.S. initiative in this trade war must be to develop reliable trading partners in the world.

Because countries often have differing political and economic systems, agreements are needed to protect those invested in trade.

The establishment of free trade agreements can be a critical and progressive step towards greater economic integration, and continues to become more valuable in an increasingly global world.

If we want more trade in the world, we should establish bilateral trade agreements with other democratic countries. That way we can control the decision-making process. The major economic countries of the world will enter into those agreements.

The critical role of Congress in the adoption of international agreements was clearly laid out by our Founding Fathers in our Constitution. And it's a principle upon which Democrats and Republicans have largely agreed.

If we want an international trade deal that advances the interests of our own people, then perhaps we don't need a 'fast-track' but a regular track: where the president sends us any proposal he deems worthy, and we review it on its own merits.

Congress has the responsibility to ensure that any international trade agreement entered into by the United States must serve the national interest, not merely the interests of those crafting the proposal in secret.

Trade agreements are important because they open up new marketplaces to small businesses, which ultimately translates into more jobs and greater economic growth.

By perfecting this legislative machinery and by participating in the various international agreements we intend to contribute to the wholesome development of world trade.