The Nation - News from Feb. 22, 1987

President Reagan, attempting to blunt a Democratic push for tougher action against unfair trading partners, said his proposals to make America more competitive amount to “challenges, not threats.” In his weekly radio address, Reagan said America’s image as “a land of opportunity” is at stake in the current international economic contest, and he asked Congress to act quickly on his package. Rep. Don Bonker (D-Wash.), responding for the Democrats, said Reagan has ignored the growing trade and budget deficits “for too long,” although the congressman said he welcomed what he called the President’s belated attention to “competitiveness” issues.