The Washington Post reports that a trade agreement with the United States is a major issue in Ecuador's presidential campaign. It repeatedly refers to the proposed agreement as a "free trade" pact. Of course the agreement would not create free trade. It would largely leave in place the protections that ensure high wages for doctors, lawyers, accountants, economists and other highly educated professionals in the United States. It would also increase protectionism by requiring more stringent rules in Latin America for drug patents and copyrights. So, why not save a word and just call it a "trade" agreement?
--Dean Baker
