Foreign Trade

U.S. trade policy has been good for business, but bad for our people. "Free trade" has been anything but free. We have paid with lower wages, lost jobs, a worsening environment and a declining quality of life. Citizens in other countries have paid a similar price.

Trade policy should improve the lives of our citizens, not just the profit margins of corporations. To do this, trade agreements must set a floor for wages, working conditions, environmental standards and human rights. These "fair trade" agreements will raise the quality of life for people here, and in all countries.

Renegotiate NAFTA, CAFTA, GATT and other trade treaties. These treaties further trade by undercutting labor rights, human rights, the economy, the environment and domestic industry. The treaty bodies, which are not elected, can (and have) overturned our nation's laws because they were 'unfair to business'. The treaties were written solely to protect the profits of multi-national corporations. We need fair trade that guarantees the rights of people in all countries, not 'free' trade that pits us against one another in a race to the bottom.

Remake the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. These agencies issue loans under terms that guarantee the rights of lenders, often by harming the economies and environment of the recipient nations. Many nations are now unable to repay their debts without further harming their economies. Forgive the debts of recipient nations. Re-write the rules for investment to guarantee the rights of the citizens of the nations receiving the investment. They have a right to public ownership, control of their own resources and protection of their environment.

Mandate and protect labor's right to organize, create unions and negotiate with management in all countries receiving U.S. investment, and require U.S. corporations that operate in other countries to guarantee those workers the same rights that American workers enjoy. If we do not protect the rights of worker's in other countries, we will have to give up our own rights to remain competitive with them.

Legislate and enable oversight by an independent agency or a labor union to verify that foreign workers' rights are protected.

Secure the rights of our states to establish stricter standards for health, safety, and for the environment than those of our national government, and to protect themselves against substandard, imported goods.

Secure the right of states and municipalities to refuse to invest in foreign businesses that do not abide by their standards for imported goods, fair trade, and environmental protection.

End the economic blockade of Cuba. Lift the embargo and restore normal diplomatic relations and respect for national sovereignty. Require the U.S. government end its veto of U.N. resolutions pertaining to Cuba.