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 Clinton and Edwards differ on Peru Trade Deal The House passed a new trade agreement with Peru yesterday. The agreement, known as the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement, passed the House with 215 votes in favor and 132 against. The debate on the agreement to re-ignite the conflict over trade policy that has raged between supporters and opponents of free trade agreements since NAFTA's passage in late 1990. The debate spread to the presidential election with Democratic candidate John Edwards, criticizing his rival Hillary Clinton support for the campaign agreement.Early pm John Edwards issued a statement condemning the House vote. "I am disappointed by today's vote to approve the Peru trade agreement and expand the failed NAFTA model that has cost us more than a million jobs," Edwards was quoted as saying. Requested that the trade agreements that protect American workers and contain strong protections for labor rights, fought, and the environment. Edwards asked Clinton to take a position in the issued, saying that voters deserve to know the answer truth.Hillary praising the agreement's approval by the House in a statement posted on his campaign website. "I have long said that we need smart trade policies that promote labor rights, environment, and our economic situation in the world," he was quoted as saying. According to Clinton, the new Peru trade agreement, which still must pass the Senate, contains a strong environmental protection and labor rights. She said the deal would allow American products to enter the Peruvian market duty free. The agreement would benefit American workers, well, Clinton said. As President Clinton said he would vigorously enforce trade agreements. "We also will expand the program of Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers adversely affected by the global economy get the help they need," Clinton campaign fired added.The Edwards again in a statement issued at the end of the hour afternoon. Edwards was quoted as saying, "I'm terribly disappointed by Senator Clinton's support for the Peru trade agreement." He accused Clinton of supporting the interests of corporations, lobbyists, and President Bush and ignoring the needs of millions of American workers. The Peru trade agreement was signed in April 2006 and has been criticized by environmentalists and advocates of labor rights. For example, a joint statement issued by the Friends of the Earth and the Sierra Club criticized the agreement for not doing enough to implement a set of trade policies that will achieve progress towards environmental sustainability. The statement did praise aspects of the agreement, however, as a measure to curb illegal timber trade and thereby reduce rates of deforestation in Peru.