Renegotiate NAFTA!

On June 04, 2008, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), joined Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Congressman Mike Michaud (D-ME), Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-Lakewood) and other members of Congress at a Capitol Hill to introduce the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development, and Employment (TRADE) Act.

A first-of-its-kind bill that centers around revamping current US trade policy, it mandates a comprehensive review of existing trade pacts including pacts made through the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA), followed by renegotiation of said trade pacts based on this review. The review will be result-oriented with focus on enforcement and compliance as well as impact of tariffs for all involved trading partners.  

The TRADE Act also addresses the need to define an agreeable labor and environmental standards with respect to all of US trading partners, while restoring Congressional oversight of trade agreements via set-requirements in public services, farm policy, investment, government procurement, and affordable medicines. 

Endorsed by various fair trade advocacy, labor, farm, faith and consumer organizations, Senator Brown was also joined by International Brotherhood of Teamsters President James Hoffa and Communication Workers of America President Larry Cohen to iterate that "trade done right means new jobs and new industry at home - and means lifting up workers in developing nations. For too long our nation's trade policy has exploited workers, betrayed middle class families, and destroyed communities. It is time for a trade policy that works for everyone, not just a few." Congressman Michaud further added: "I support responsible trade between the United States and countries across the globe. But our current system has not worked, has not met past promises, and has not served the interests of a majority of people across our country, or the world. This bill sets forth concrete ways to deliver on our shared conviction that trade must serve as a means for achieving goals such as economic justice and promotion of basic human rights, healthy communities and environmental well-being."

The TRADE Act, which is consistent with principles of fair trade articulated by the Renegotiate NAFTA Campaign, aims to protect the environment and workers, enhance public health and safety, foster strong democratic institutions and improve the quality of life worldwide. 
For more information, visit http://www.citizenstrade.org/.