Our views: W.Va. benefits from free trade; Growing with the world beats protectionism all hollow

WEST Virginians like the fact that their little piece of heaven isa welcome respite from a busy world. But make no mistake. WestVirginia is thoroughly enmeshed in a booming global trade, and itsfortunes are increasingly linked to expanded trade opportunities.

Congressional Democrats will soon face decisions on whether toapprove trade agreements with Peru, Colombia, Panama and South Korea.Surely the West Virginia delegation will vote to expand WestVirginians' opportunities worldwide.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which speaks for businesses, fleshesout a powerful case that trade agreements are critical to the peopleof this state.

West Virginia exported more …