Pennsylvania – The Pennsylvania Fair Trade Coalition (PAFTC) praised members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation for cosponsoring the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act, which was introduced by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine) yesterday in Washington D.C.
The act triggers a review of all existing trade agreements, and provides a process to renegotiate them. The bill also outlines principles of what should be included in future trade agreements, and expresses the sense of the Congress that their role in trade policymaking should be strengthened.
“The TRADE Act is a critical piece of legislation that replaces our failed trade model that has destroyed workers, business owners and lives,” said Amy McAuliffe, Director of the PAFTC. “I applaud all Congress who have co-sponsored this bill, which will not only protect our workers here in Pennsylvania, but all American workers.”
The current U.S. trade model has had devastating impacts. The U.S. has lost more than 3.5 million good-paying manufacturing jobs since 2000, and more than 40,000 factories have closed in the past 10 years. Pennsylvania alone has lost more than 207,400 manufacturing jobs since 2000, which is roughly ΒΌ of all factory jobs.
“The TRADE Act reflects responsible fair trade agreements verses the free trade model in existence that has resulted in vast job loss, plants being shut down, wages declined and toxic imports,” said Mickey Bolt, USW Rapid Response Coordinator
The TRADE Act articulates specific changes needed to the failed North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)/World Trade Organization (WTO) model to ensure trade deals achieve good jobs, safe food, promotion of basic human rights, healthy communities and environmental protection.
As this bill winds its way through Congress, we urge all of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to consider the positive impact this legislation would have on our economy, and we look forward to working with them on this critical issue in the future.
