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Trade |
The United States has lost more than 3 million manufacturing jobs in the past 6 years. Most of that loss can be attributed to the export of JOBS. This process has been dramatically accelerated by ill-advised "free trade" agreements, starting with NAFTA in 1993.
NAFTA has been an undisputed diaster. More than 1 million US manufacturing jobs lost as a result. 19 million Mexicans plunged into poverty by decreased wages and unbeatable competition from US agribusiness. A flood of illegal immigration fueled by desparate Mexican workers who lost their jobs. (more info about NAFTA in our resources section).
The "Free Trade" pacts that followed have produced similar results, and have contributed to the largest US trade deficits in history. Trade with China has been particularly devastating for US workers. We have experienced a massive shift of jobs from the US to a country with no rights for workers, little enforcement of environmental regulations, below-poverty wages and a repressive government in league with corporate giants.
We need to change this country's approach to "globalization," replacing the so-called "free trade" model with one that promotes "fair trade."
"Fair trade" means insisting on minumum standards for workers and environmental regulations. This would help level the playing field for workers here in the US as well as raising the living standards of workers in the countries that sign such agreements.
Fair trade also means an end to China's manipulation of currency, kept artificially low so that US products suffer even greater price disadvantages.
Fair trade should also include an end to US policies that assist US companies in moving off-shore, and help finance the exodus of jobs through tax breaks in the repatriation of overseas profits. Instead, tax laws should penalize employers exporting jobs and reward those who maintain production here.
These and other steps would help end the flood of jobs now leaving the US for low-wage sweat shop havens across the globe. |
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