WASHINGTON — This morning, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) will deliver an address at the Washington International Trade Association about his vision for expanded U.S. trade. Below are excerpts from his remarks, as prepared for delivery.

"So, trade is good for America. People have legitimate gripes with the global economy. But let’s be sure we’ve grabbed the right culprit. The problem isn’t when other countries play by the rules. It’s when they break the rules. Or rather, it’s when they rig the rules in their favor. And I would argue that the best solution to that is more trade agreements. . . .

"Nobody negotiates with an empty seat. If we don’t write the rules of the global economy, somebody else will—somebody who may not have our best interests at heart. And if we don’t like the way the global economy works, then we have to get out there and change it. . . .

"But we can’t lose sight of the bigger picture—of what we’re doing and why—because it’s not just our economy that’s on the line. It’s our credibility. There’s no question it’s taken a beating in the last few years. We’ve left the world wondering, 'Does the United States have staying power? Will it stick it out?' Finishing these trade deals would emphatically say, 'Yes.' Yes, you can count on the United States. We will be there. We won’t abandon the field. We will stick up for free enterprise and free people."

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