Sign on this document!

Virtually everyone wants trade reform.  But we speak about trade reform in different ways and have not yet come together to decide what we can all agree upon. 

On September 13, 2008, representatives from agriculture, steel, copper, academia, textiles, manufacturing, labor and others came together to craft a one page statement.  The statement shows what we all agree on in terms of trade and the economy.  Nearly 100 organizations have thus far signed on. 

How will this be used?  We will present the document and signatures to the administration and Congress, urging them to adopt the principles.  Everyone will be free to use the document to present to candidates for office.  We also can use the document to present to other representatives from manufacturing, agriculture, and labor for their feedback and support. 

Click here to go to the document. 

Click This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to sign on with your name, organization, your position with the organization, address, telephone number and email.  Yes, we need all that for you to sign on.

What is the deadline?  We want to release the document on October 2, 2008 formally.  But we will leave signatures open for another month to continue generating support.

FIXING AMERICA’S ECONOMY:
ENSURING GOOD JOBS, PROSPERITY & SECURITY

America’s international economic policies threaten our prosperity and national security.  These policies have handicapped domestic manufacturers, service providers, farmers and workers, leading to massive trade deficits, stagnant wages, the loss of millions of manufacturing jobs, a dangerous erosion of our industrial base, a long-term decline in our food and agriculture trade surplus, and the unprecedented transfer of trillions of dollars of American wealth offshore.
 
The trade deficit is a major cause of today’s financial crisis. It undermines family-sustaining jobs and investment in productive assets, fostering a debt-driven economy dangerously dependent upon foreign borrowing.  Because U.S. policies have betrayed too many American workers and families by offshoring their jobs and destroying their communities, we are also endangering the retirement security and health care of this generation of workers and squandering our children’s futures.  Without immediate fundamental change, America’s standard of living is at risk.
 
Fixing America’s international economic policy, therefore, must be the top priority for the next administration.  Smart actions to boost production and dramatically reduce the trade deficit will create millions of new jobs, restore healthy growth, and strengthen national security.  This will require investing in America, creating incentives for corporations to keep jobs here and to bring others home, and reducing reliance on foreign sources for energy, critical inputs, capital, and even food.
 
For these reasons, we the undersigned, many of whom represent U.S. producers and workers from diverse sectors, seek commitments from candidates of all parties that they will:
 
1.  SUPPORT policies that promote American interests by requiring full reciprocity, fairness, and transparency in all U.S. trade agreements, including in such areas as labor and environmental standards.

2.  SUPPORT actions to combat the illegal, mercantilist practice of prolonged currency misalignment, including legislation to make it actionable under U.S. trade law.

3.  SUPPORT aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws to halt foreign illegal trade activities such as dumping, subsidization, and intellectual property theft.  In addition, U.S. policy must ensure that all goods sold here meet U.S. food and product safety standards.

4.  SUPPORT the elimination of tax disadvantages that undermine the competitiveness of U.S. producers at home and abroad, or that discourage investment in America.
 
5.  SUPPORT a comprehensive strategy to reduce U.S. dependence on imported energy.