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Trade

A giant sucking sound. That’s what 1992 independent U.S. presidential candidate Ross Perot warned that North Americans would hear if the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) became law—the sound of jobs leaving the United States as companies chase lower wages overseas. He wasn’t wrong. Since the passage of NAFTA and a dozen other trade agreements modeled on NAFTA, millions of U.S. manufacturing jobs have been lost, and annual trade deficits have soared.

To be clear, the trade agreements don’t themselves cause offshoring and trade imbalances. U.S.-based companies were already moving manufacturing to Mexican maquiladoras before NAFTA passed in 1993. And American brands were already using Chinese factories before Congress passed Permanent Normal Trade Relations in 2000 and supported China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

What these agreements do is grease the skids. By harmonizing rules, they make it more seamless for investors to move operations from one country to another. They reduce the costs of offshoring. It’s a betrayal, and American workers have paid the price.

Trade

Foreign trade ruled a factor in Newberg paper mill closure

Apr 1, 2016

About 200 workers lost jobs at WestRock, formerly SP Fiber.

Trade

What’s next for TPP? A stealth vote?

Mar 23, 2016

To promote TPP, Nike sponsors a visit to Portland by U.S. ambassadors to Brunei and Malaysia.

No Picture
Trade

Congresswoman Bonamici still undecided on TPP

Mar 1, 2016

Bonamici told the NW Oregon Labor Council Feb. 22 she’s still reviewing the 2,000-page document.

No Picture
Trade

Free trader Kurt Schrader meets local labor about TPP

Feb 24, 2016

Schrader says it’s foolish for labor to target fast track Democrats.

Trade

Laid-off Oregon union millwright goes to D.C.

Feb 3, 2016

Steve Phillips of AWPPW – Rep. DeFazio’s guest at State of the Union – didn’t like what he heard.

No Picture
Trade

Eugene City Council votes to oppose Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal

Feb 3, 2016

The vote follows a campaign by Oregon Strong Voice Lane County, a project of the Oregon AFL-CIO.

Trade

Union retirees speak against proposed TPP trade deal

Feb 3, 2016

In Oregon, U.S Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio say they will oppose the TPP.

Trade

Obama releases text of his Pacific trade deal

Nov 20, 2015

The veil is off the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and it’s not pretty.

Trade

Senator Jeff Merkley won’t be voting for the Trans-Pacific deal

Nov 2, 2015

Why? Because trade deficits have risen after virtually every trade agreement.

Trade

Obama signs TPP

Oct 13, 2015

The 12-nation pact would favor the rights of investors over workers

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