Trade
When applied to societies of equal political, economic, and social footing, free trade policies are also “fair” policies in the sense that all participants operate on a level playing field. Unfortunately for Maine, our country’s free trade agreements have too often allowed new participants into our markets that are not held to the same standards and rules as Maine businesses. Over the last several decades, our trade policies have produced reverse incentives for U.S. businesses to off-shore jobs, contributing to the hollowing out of the American economy and sharp, harmful declines in U.S. manufacturing.
My Priorities include:
- Fighting Unfair Trade Agreements. As the Administration pursues two of the most ambitious trade deals in recent decades - the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the U.S.-European Union Trade and Investment Partnership - I will advocate for the Maine stakeholders and businesses that stand to be impacted. Since the Administration notified Congress of its intent to enter into negotiations with TPP countries, I have:
- Visited the New Balance facility in Skowhegan, Maine, to talk to workers about how the TPP’s proposal to eliminate duties on imported footwear would have severe consequences for the company and for Maine;
- Asked United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Ron Kirk to forego any discussion during the TPP negotiations of ending rubber and plastic footwear tariffs because of the potentially catastrophic result it could have for New Balance and its employees;
- Written Acting USTR Ambassador Demetrios Marantis to reiterate my concern and request an update on TPP negotiations.
- Advocating for higher standards and protections in trade agreements. Trade agreements must be based, at a minimum, on strong labor, environmental and intellectual property standards.
- Enhancing transparency in international trade negotiations. While interest groups and big corporations have access to the text of trade agreements during the negotiation process, Members of Congress, their staff, and the American public are left in the dark. This is the wrong way to conduct trade negotiations and I will push the Administration, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, and the Senate Finance Committee to inject transparency into the trade negotiation process.
- Pushing for stronger trade enforcement. It is crucial that our trading partners abide by the same international rules by which U.S. businesses are bound. When our trading partners choose to violate these rules, placing U.S. businesses at an unfair competitive disadvantage, we need to be able to respond swiftly and decisively. I will work hard to ensure that the Office of the United States Trade Representative has the resources it needs to pursue enforcement efforts, and I will monitor its actions closely to ensure that they are using all means necessary to protect American workers. Since assuming office in January 2013, I have:
- Demanded answers from the USTR on how and when it will address the Canadian government subsidies, which I believe are illegal, provided to the Port Hawkesbury paper mill in Nova Scotia, which are harming Maine’s paper mill industry;
- Publicly supported a nascent enforcement agency – the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC) – that was designed to enhance enforcement of unfair trade practices. I look forward to continuing to support this agency’s efforts in years to come.
