The U.S.-Soviet trade agreement rejected by Moscow last week involved a remarkably strange piece of legislation. The enactment of the Trade Reform Act, after two years of haggling and deliberation, marked a rare moment when Congress not only dictated U.S. foreign policy but also tried to determine the domestic policy of another country. During its two-year peregrination to passage, the bill gave rise to some strange alliances and taut confrontations. Congressional conservatives opposing trade with Russia joined with liberals concerned with human rights and the AFL-CIO, which feared the loss of American jobs....
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
