William George Stewart Adams Quotes

Governments should not meddle with these trade issues… if we believe in free markets, then they have to be free

Basically, the myth is that America has been founded on the free market; the government has done very little; it has thrived under free trade. But actually, if you look at the history, this is actually the country that has succeeded most with protectionist policies.

I am utterly opposed to anything which will alter the Free Trade character of this country.

The arguments for protection are more easily made attractive than those for free trade.

Demanding freedom of access to other markets isn't protectionism, it's free trade.

I denounce the policy of protection as bondage.

I believe in markets before mandates.

While protectionism doesn’t work, pure free trade doesn’t work either.

The left and right have been as bad as each other. The left has allowed its distrust of markets and endless faith in government to obscure the importance of civil society. The right has been so focused on replacing the state with markets that it has forgotten how to cultivate a trusting society

How can we have 'freer' free trade? Let's get real, for God's sake.

I have never worshipped at the altar of free trade, but I've always been an advocate of free trade.

Conservatives brayed that government should stay out of the private sector; liberals bleated for nationalizing the banks.

I'm not opposed to free trade if it's fair trade. But I am opposed to bad trade deals.

Manufacturing and commercial monopolies owe their origin not to a tendency imminent in a capitalist economy but to governmental interventionist policy directed against free trade and laissez faire.

Germany is very free-trade oriented.

Let me say at the outset that I do not reflexively oppose international trade.

Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.

In the broad and sweeping sense which the use of the term generally implies, I am not a free-trader.

There's not a single country that actually approaches economics in a pure, free market, capitalist way. I like the free market - but it very much exists only in textbooks. If I had a choice, and we could live in a very pure world, I would be a supporter of the free markets.

Europe should stick to an open economy, to competition and we should refuse protectionism. It will not save one single job in the long run to protect non-competitive industries.

There's no conflict between the social-welfare state and open markets.

I'm particularly happy that the Ronald Reagan Building is both public and private, and embraces his lifelong belief... in free and open trade.

I am not someone who tends to advocate for increased government involvement in the private sector.

I debated free trade in college. I came out as a free trader. I'm a free markets guy. I'm an Adam Smith guy.

Opposing the free flow of goods or people is a bad idea.