WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAU) — Wisconsin’s Democratic U.S. Senator is urging her colleagues to watch out for the interests of American workers while negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Senator Tammy Baldwin believes some of the countries would engage in trade practices that would hurt our economy and jobs. “I fear that this agreement could allow some nations to take advantage of the values we as Americans place on our environment, on labor laws, on human rights, and on free enterprise rules.”
Baldwin cited past examples of trade problems, including NAFTA, where American workers got the bad end of the deal.
She says one way foreign countries gain a market advantage is by currency manipulation. “Currency manipulation is essentially cheating. And that is why I support including strong and enforceable currency manipulation provisions in any trade agreement. Without these rules, we will allow countries to engage in a race to the bottom that leaves everybody worse off.”
Baldwin says free trade agreements have historically allowed foreign nations too much leeway when bidding for our government projects and contracts, while not affording American companies that fair access, that same access. She urged negotiators not to make the same mistakes of the past, forcing American workers to compete on an uneven playing field.
(Watch Senator Baldwin’s speech by clicking the image above.)
