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For Immediate Release: May 17, 2007
To Make Trade Work, We Need Real Change
Statement of Congresswoman Betty Sutton
"Last November, the American people cast their votes to put an end to
the flawed trade model that has had a devastating impact on our
families, businesses, workers, farmers and communities. Last week, an
announcement was made that the U.S. will require the inclusion of labor
and environmental standards in the pending Peru and Panama Free Trade
Agreements. This is welcome news and is a direct response to the
election and the unyielding diligence of many of us who have been
dedicated to fighting for the inclusion of strong labor and
environmental standards for years.
While it is encouraging that the deal seemingly provides for the
possibility of stronger labor and environmental standards in these two
U.S. trade agreements, any enforceability of those provisions is
dependent on the Bush Administration and, given its abominable record,
you can be certain that enforcement will not happen.
In 2000, Congress passed a Free Trade Agreement with Jordan. This
Agreement had the support of many members committed to "fair trade"
because it included labor and environmental standards; however, there
has been no enforcement of those labor standards even though documented
violations have been extreme. There is no reason to believe that the
same result will not prove true with the pending FTAs even if they
contain similar standards.
My constituents and people across this country voted for a much greater
change in direction on trade than simply including labor and
environmental standards, which won't be enforced in our trade
agreements. The American people cast their votes for a new majority in
both the House and Senate, hoping that we would help strengthen the
shrinking middle class and restore the American Dream that has been
off-shored due to the harmful trade agreements and the unfair trade
practices that have persisted for more than a decade.
The American people are counting on this new Congress to finally
address the devastation of our failed trade policies and soaring trade
deficit by developing a new trade model that will no longer leave
American businesses and workers at a disadvantage. They are counting
on us to enact a trade model that will not reward companies who move
overseas or encourage them to outsource jobs and our future. They are
counting on us to develop a trade model that will put an enforceable
end to illegal subsidies and currency manipulation. They are counting
on us to develop a trade model that will provide incentives to help our
businesses and workers and our communities thrive. They are counting
on us to develop a trade model that requires reciprocity of market
access and ensures greater safety of products produced elsewhere and
consumed here.
The American people are counting on the Democratic Majority to provide
a trade model that will truly allow for fair competition, because we
know that if given a fair playing field we will excel in the global
marketplace. This is not about being "pro-trade" or "anti-trade." It
is about the "rules of trade" and making sure that they are fair and
enforceable. The American people want nothing more and they deserve
nothing less. I am committed to continuing the fight to deliver to the
American people a truly new trade model that is fair and under which we
will prosper.
With respect to the pending Panama and Peru FTAs, which represent only
minute portions of trade with the U.S., I have yet to see them and will
reserve judgment. However, it should be understood that Congress must
reclaim its Constitutional authority and responsibility over trade and
not continue down the path of ceding its responsibility to the
President. It is our job to ensure a vibrant and fair trade policy.
We must focus our attention on that task before it is too late. My
home state of Ohio has lost over 200,000 manufacturing jobs since 2001.
That means a lot of families are suffering. They need a new trade
model now. The inclusion of labor and environmental standards in trade
agreements is progress, but our responsibility and the country's need
are much greater than that. We must develop a new trade model that is
enforceable and comprehensive...and we must do it immediately to keep
faith with the American people."
Contact: Ian Mandel at 202-225-3401
Jan. 9 - Ryan & Sutton become advocates for Mt. McKinley (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Jan. 9 - 'OUR VIEW' EDITORIAL: Local congressional raises put to good use (Lorain Morning Journal)
Dec. 9 - Most Ohio lawmakers behind wheels of domestic cars (Columbus Dispatch)
Dec. 11 - Automaker bailout survives House vote (Akron Beacon Journal)
Dec. 10 - Sutton moves to Energy and Commerce Committee (Cleveland Plain Dealer)