I will fight for fair trade, not just free trade. International trade can provide access to important new markets for Minnesota's products, and it is crucial to our state's future prosperity.
But our businesses must have fair access to these markets and we must have a level playing field for our farmers and workers. I will insist that labor and environmental standards be a part of the trade agreements we negotiate with other countries.
Source: Campaign website, www.amyklobuchar.com, "Issues"
Jan 18, 2006
Opposes CAFTA
I will fight to get better trade deals for Minnesota than what we got in the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Back in April, I announced my opposition to CAFTA because of provisions that would harm the 30,000 Minnesotans who work in the
sugar industry and because of inadequate provisions for environmental and labor fairness. Hard-working Minnesotans deserve an even playing field in the global market?and they deserve leaders in Congress who will put their interests first.
Source: Campaign website, www.amyklobuchar.com, "Issues"
Jan 18, 2006
Voted NO on promoting free trade with Peru.
Approves the Agreement entered into with the government of Peru. Provides for the Agreement's entry into force upon certain conditions being met on or after January 1, 2008. Prescribes requirements for:
enforcement of textile and apparel rules of origin;
certain textile and apparel safeguard measures; and
enforcement of export laws governing trade of timber products from Peru.
Proponents support voting YES because:
Rep. RANGEL: It's absolutely ridiculous to believe that we can create jobs without trade. I had the opportunity to travel to Peru recently. I saw firsthand how important this agreement is to Peru and how this agreement will strengthen an important ally of ours in that region. Peru is resisting the efforts of Venezuela's authoritarian President Hugo Chavez to wage a war of words and ideas in Latin America against the US. Congress should acknowledge the support of the people of Peru and pass this legislation by a strong margin.
Opponents recommend voting NO because:
Rep. WU: I regret that I cannot vote for this bill tonight because it does not put human rights on an equal footing with environmental and labor protections.
Rep. KILDEE: All trade agreements suffer from the same fundamental flaw: They are not self-enforcing. Trade agreements depend upon vigorous enforcement, which requires official complaints be made when violations occur. I have no faith in President Bush to show any enthusiasm to enforce this agreement. Congress should not hand this administration yet another trade agreement because past agreements have been more efficient at exporting jobs than goods and services. I appeal to all Members of Congress to vote NO on this. But I appeal especially to my fellow Democrats not to turn their backs on those American workers who suffer from the export of their jobs. They want a paycheck, not an unemployment check.
Reference: Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act;
Bill H.R. 3688
; vote number 2007-413
on Dec 4, 2007
