Contact:  Fred Stokes, 601.527.2459

April 8. 2008

The Coalition for a Prosperous America, a unique grass-roots coalition of American producers in all sectors, hailed the study released today by the American Manufacturers Trade Action Coalition.  “AMTAC has performed a public service in issuing a report that lays out, in stark statistical detail, the damage done to Pennsylvania and America by the failed trade and economic polices pursued by our government,” said Fred Stokes, CPA’s president.  “The facts make clear we need to rethink trade policy before approving new trade agreements.  The presidential candidates should commit to a full re-evaluation of trade policy.”

The study, authored by the respected economist Charles McMillion, found:

•    Pennsylvania has lost 208,000 manufacturing jobs since 2001;
•    The new jobs created in the state pay much lower than the jobs lost;
•    This loss of quality jobs has a ripple effect, downgrading the quality of living of many other Pennsylvania   citizens;
•    The gains promised by promoters have Free Trade Agreements have been untrue.

 “American manufacturers all know how devastating the past seven years have been for those who have chosen to continue producing in the United States. These manufacturers are the best in the world, achieving record productivity despite unfair foreign trade practices like currency manipulation and tax subsidies,”  said Rob Dumont, CPA vice president who also heads the Tooling, Manufacturing, and Technologies Association.  “The current Free Trade Agreements promote outsourcing, trade deficits and debt.  But what we are really outsourcing is the American Dream.”

CPA renews its call for the presidential candidates to commit themselves now to a new approach to the global marketplace. “America is the only major country without a national economic strategy,” said Bob Baugh, executive director of the AFL-CIO Industrial Unions Council and a CPA board member.  “US-based producers – whether on the farm, the ranch, or in the factory – are the most productive in the world, but cannot compete when our policies are both haphazard and economically hazardous.” 

On behalf of the nearly three million citizens represented by CPA member companies and associations, Stokes urged that the presidential candidates to address the issues of real concern to American farmers, manufacturers and workers.  “America needs a president who will demand that all parts of the government put aside narrow agendas and special interests and focus on the national interest.  The next administration should coordinate of our trade, tax, energy, infrastructure and product safety policies to ensure that together they enhance, not undermine, the national interest,” concluded Stokes.

The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) is a national grass roots organization representing farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and workers seeking a better trade policy that benefits America.