In preparation for the North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations, which began Wednesday, the Trump administration released an official list of objectives for the new agreement, and they have some senators saying they look like (in the words of Ron Wyden of Oregon) “watered-down versions of TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) proposals.” President Trump even recruited the same corporate trade advisers who developed the failed provisions of the TPP to consult on NAFTA.
Instead of committing to crafting a new deal that prioritizes working people and families, Trump has given little indication that he will actually fight to improve labor and environmental standards and ensure they’ll meet our needs.
The president talks tough on overhauling trade policy, but it’s nothing more than leftover campaign rhetoric. We don’t want more of his empty promises that lead to the same devastating trade pacts.
NAFTA killed jobs in our communities, depressed wages for millions and made it easier for corporations to offshore jobs and attack environmental, health and other safeguards in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
We must press our elected leaders to ensure that any update to NAFTA will benefit working people and provide the freedom for all of us to create better futures for our families.
John Bernard
South Portland
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