U.S. to Investigate Canadian Paper Mill Deal

PRESQUE ISLE, ME – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud praised United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk for promptly responding to his request to examine the details of the financial package offered by the provincial government of Nova Scotia to a paper mill in Port Hawkesbury. Michaud sent a letter to USTR Kirk on September 26th requesting that he obtain complete information about the province’s rescue package and determine whether it is consistent with Canada’s NAFTA and World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments. If violations are found, Michaud has urged for expeditious action.

Michaud Pushes for U.S. Response to Canadian Paper Mill Subsidies

BANGOR, ME – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud, a former papermaker, urged the U.S. government to examine the details of the financial package offered by the provincial government of Nova Scotia to a paper mill in Port Hawkesbury. Michaud sent a letter to United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk asking him to obtain complete information about the province’s rescue package and to determine whether it is consistent with Canada’s NAFTA and WTO commitments. If violations are found, Michaud urges expeditious action.

Michaud Expresses Concern over South Korea’s Currency Manipulation

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Mike Michaud, Chairman of the House Trade Working Group, has sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk expressing his serious concern about South Korea’s ongoing intervention in its currency and its impact on U.S. businesses and workers, particularly now that the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been implemented.

Michaud Applauds Action to Support Over 2,000 Maine Jobs

Michaud Joins New Balance to Fight for Maine Footwear Jobs

NORRIDGEWOCK, ME – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud joined with New Balance associates at their factory in Norridgewock to press U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk on the importance of preserving current footwear tariffs, which are threatened by the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a multination free trade agreement that is currently being negotiated. Michaud has been leading the fight in Congress to preserve current footwear tariffs and invited Kirk to Maine for today’s visit.

Michaud to Join U.S. Trade Rep. at New Balance Factory Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, DC – Tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., Congressman Mike Michaud will join U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk for a tour of the New Balance factory on Depot Street in Norridgewock. After the tour, Michaud will join with New Balance associates to demonstrate to Kirk how critical current tariffs are to the preservation of U.S. jobs and specifically the ones at three New Balance facilities in Norway, Skowhegan, and Norridgewock. Kirk accepted Michaud’s invitation to visit Maine in July.

Michaud Reacts to Subsidization of Canadian Paper Mill

BANGOR, ME – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud, expressed concern over reports on the government subsidization of a Canadian paper mill and what it could mean for Maine’s industry.

Michaud Pushes Obama on TPP Enforcement Measures Critical to U.S. Forestry Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud, a Co-Chair of the Congressional Lumber Caucus, joined with his fellow bipartisan caucus members to send a letter to President Obama urging him to ensure that all Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries are subject to the same application of domestic trade laws and full judicial review in order to ensure that trade laws are fully enforced.

Michaud Urges Obama to Include Manufacturing Provisions in TPP

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud, Chairman of the House Trade Working Group, sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to advocate for the inclusion of specific provisions that boost domestic supply chains and minimize U.S. job loss as negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) continue. The provisions Michaud is advocating to include address currency manipulation, state-owned enterprises, rules of origin, outward processing zones, tariffs, and trade remedies.

Michaud and DeLauro Push Enforcement as Committee Moves Russia PNTR

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Mike Michaud (ME-02) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) have sent a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee urging them to include a bill they authored in the final version of a bill granting Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR), which is expected to be marked up later this week. Michaud and DeLauro’s bill, the Russian World Trade Organization Commitments Verification Act of 2012, would require the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to complete annual reports on Russia’s compliance with its World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations and to take action when they have not met their commitments.