GOP senator blasts Trump’s ’18th-century views of trade’

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) blasted the Trump administration on Saturday for having “18th-century views of trade” after it was reported that President Trump was preparing to withdraw the U.S. from its free trade agreement with South Korea. 

“The president and Nebraska have a basic disagreement about trade,” Sasse said in a statement.

“His Administration holds 18th-century views of trade as a zero-sum game. I side with our farmers and ranchers who are feeding the world now,” the conservative senator added.

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Sasse has criticized the president over perceived protectionist policies in the past, saying in April that Trump’s consideration of withdrawing the U.S. from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was a “disastrously bad idea.”

His latest comments came as reports emerged that Trump had instructed his advisers to prepare for the U.S. to withdraw from its free trade agreement with South Korea, likely beginning the formal withdrawal process next week.