WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) released the following statement regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations that are set to kick off today. Since its implementation in 1994, NAFTA has cost millions of jobs, increased economic inequality, undermined labor rights, degraded the environment, and forced millions of Mexican workers to migrate.
“This opportunity to renegotiate NAFTA is a rare chance to level the playing field for American families and workers. Any trade agreement should abide by fair trade principles and prioritize people over corporate profits. If President Trump is serious about ending offshoring and putting American workers first, then he should abide by the CPC’s Principles for Trade.
“These principles pave the path for trade deals that emphasize the rights of workers, push for safe working conditions, ensure affordable access to lifesaving medicine, and encourage the creation of family-supporting jobs. Additionally, these principles restore the sovereignty of nations by rejecting mechanisms such as the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), which circumvent domestic court systems. They underscore a focus on human rights, push for greater transparency, and protect the environment. Any trade deal must meet these basic standards, or it risks becoming a deal that offshores more American jobs in a race to the bottom.
“We urge U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to firmly base any renegotiations of NAFTA on these fair trade principles. A failure to do so would be yet another betrayal of President Trump’s campaign promises to American workers.”
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The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, with over 70 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and promote civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, a $15 national minimum wage, fair trade, gun violence reform, debt-free college, and making the federal government a Model Employer.
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