Trade


Our trade policy over the last several years has been a huge detriment to our economy. As we move forward in trade with other nations, we must make certain that all provisions of trade agreements are upheld, that the trade deals we enter into are good for the American worker. As an economist, I am very much in favor of free trade. Free trade lets each nation pursue its own comparative advantages, but free trade must also be fair trade.

We’ve entered into a series of free trade agreements, such as NAFTA, CAFTA, and the Peru FTA, that have cost this country millions of jobs, and we have gotten very little in return. These deals have been great for Wall Street, but terrible for Main Street. When entering into a trade agreement, we must ensure that all provisions of free trade agreements are followed, and that if they are not, that there is a method for ending the agreement built in.

Over the last century, we have enacted labor standards in this country. We decided that it was wrong to have children working in factories, that it was wrong to make employees work overtime without increased pay, that it was wrong to pollute our environment. These standards may cost a little more in the short-term, but they are absolutely necessary to ensure the long-term security of our economy.

For an example of a trade deal gone bad, look at NAFTA. Since the labor and safety provisions of NAFTA are rarely enforced, maufacturers can move their factories just beyond our borders, and not have to pay the extra costs for safe or fair working conditions. Then they can bring the goods back over the border and sell them at a much cheaper price, undercutting the competition. This is completely unfair to those corporations that follow the rules. And the worst part? We have been giving tax breaks to the companies breaking the rules.

We must reverse this very dangerous trend. We need to enforce the standards provisions of trade deals, and refuse to trade with nations that dont maintain the agreed-upon standards. We should also stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas, and instead provide those tax breaks to small businesses and other compaines that hire Americans and provide a living wage.

Help us make sure free trade is also fair trade. Make a contribution now!

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