Topics in the News: NAFTA

Ron DeSantis on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 6, 2021)
Expands program to engage new international markets

[On USMCA Mexico-Canada trade deal]: "International trade continues to support millions of jobs for Florida's export and import businesses," said Gov. Ron DeSantis. "The expansion of Enterprise Florida's Virtual Business Matchmaking program will provide Florida businesses the opportunity to engage new international markets and build their global client base with a reimbursable grant. This program is another example of how Florida is safely helping companies get back to work." Click for Ron DeSantis on other issues. Source: Florida Daily on 2022 Florida Gubernatorial race

Vladimir Putin on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 21, 2021)
More preferential agreements with largest trading partners

Putin called for stepping up interaction on free trade agreements between the EAEU states and other countries. In particular, the EAEU should consider conclusion of free trade agreements with Indonesia and Mongolia. "We are in favor of increasing the number of preferential agreements with our largest trading partners," Putin said. Member-states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Click for Vladimir Putin on other issues. Source: Tass Russian News Agency on Foreign Influencers

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 28, 2021)
Buying American doesn't violate any trade agreement

All the investments in the American Job Plan will be guided by one principle: Buy American. Buy American. And I might note parenthetically, that does not violate any trade agreement. It's been the law since the '30s: Buy American. American tax dollars are going to be used to buy American products made in America to create American jobs. That's the way it is supposed to be, and it will be in this administration. Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: 2021 State of the Union address

Antony Blinken on NAFTA: (Free Trade Mar 3, 2021)
Focus must be trade policies benefiting all Americans

Some of us previously argued for free trade agreements because we believed Americans would broadly share in the economic gains that those--and that those deals would shape the global economy in ways that we wanted. We didn't do enough to understand who would be negatively affected. Our trade policies will need to answer very clearly how they will grow the American middle class, create new and better jobs, and benefit all Americans, not only those for whom the economy is already working. Click for Antony Blinken on other issues. Source: State Department speech: 2021 Biden Administration

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 28, 2021)
Trumpism means great trade deals

Many people have asked, "What is Trumpism?" A new term being used more and more. I'm hearing that term more and more. I didn't come up with it. But what it means is great deals, great trade deals. Great ones, not deals where we give away everything, our jobs, our money, like the USMCA replacement of the horrible NAFTA. NAFTA was one of the worst deals ever made, probably the worst trade deal ever made, and we ended it. A lot of people forget, we ended it. Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: Remarks by Pres. Trump at the 2021 CPAC Conference

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 7, 2020)
Vote against USMCA was a vote against jobs

American people deserve to know Senator Kamala Harris was one of only 10 members of the Senate to vote against the USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada Agreement). It was a huge win for American auto workers. It was a huge win for American farmers. But Senator you said it didn't go far enough on climate change, you put your radical environmental agenda ahead of American jobs. Click for Mike Pence on other issues. Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Mar 8, 2020)
Americans have to compete with people making pennies an hour

Here in Michigan trade has been a disaster. Trade agreements like NAFTA and permanent normal trade relations with China which forced American workers to compete against people making pennies an hour has resulted in the loss of 160,000 jobs here in Michigan. Some four million jobs all over this country. I helped lead the effort against these disastrous trade agreements. Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: Meet the Press interview on 2020 Presidential hopefuls

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Foreign Policy Feb 7, 2020)
We must work with allies, isolationism does not work

Trump always sides with tyrants over innocents. We cannot be alone, and that trade agreement was not perfect, but the point of it is, if we start isolating ourselves from the rest of the world, we are going to hurt ourselves economically and we are going to hurt our nation's security. Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 7, 2020)
Voted yes for USMCA due to trade improvements

There were major improvements in this trade agreement when it comes to labor inspections, when it comes to getting rid of a sweetheart pharma deal and when it comes to climate change. We have to have Mexico and Canada and America working together and the best way to take on climate change as president, yes, I'll work to make this a part of every future trade agreement, but the best way to take on climate change is by getting back into the international climate change agreement. Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 7, 2020)
USMCA makes things somewhat better for workers

This NAFTA provision, makes things somewhat better for workers and for farmers and when I see a law that makes things somewhat better for hardworking people in this country, I'm saying, I'll sign up for that and then I'll get up tomorrow morning and I'll start working hard for a better trade deal on climate, a better trade deal that has a basic coherence to it. Everyone wants to get to the American market. We should be raising standards on climate around the world to get access to our market. Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues. Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 7, 2020)
Not one word in USMCA that deals with climate change

What the environmental groups are saying, we're simply exporting fossil fuel emissions to Mexico. There is not one word in that trade agreement that deals with climate change and I don't know how in 2020 you can do that. Second of all, there is, in terms of outsourcing of jobs, a major crisis in this country. Nobody believes that under this Trump trade agreement that they will not be continued and significant outsourcing of jobs into low wage Mexico. Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2020)
Fact-Check:USMCA mostly a cosmetic refreshing of NAFTA

President Trump said, "One of the single biggest promises I made to the American people was to replace the disastrous NAFTA trade deal. I replaced NAFTA and signed the brand new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) into law. The USMCA will create nearly 100,000 new high-paying American auto jobs, and massively boost exports for our farmers, ranchers, and factory workers."

Fact -Check: The agreement updates NAFTA, covering things such as digital commerce, which barely existed when the original deal was signed a quarter-century ago. But despite the president's claims, USMCA is mostly a cosmetic refreshing of NAFTA, not a wholesale replacement. On the whole, the USMCA's economic effects are expected to be modest. The main benefit of the deal is that it avoids the disruption that would have come had Trump made good on his threat to scrap NAFTA with no replacement.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2020 State of the Union address

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Jobs Feb 4, 2020)
Unemployment at record low, including women & disabled

From the instant I took office, I moved rapidly to revive the United States economy--slashing a record number of job-killing regulations, enacting historic and record-setting tax cuts, and fighting for fair and reciprocal trade agreements. Since my election, we have created 7 million new jobs--5 million more than Government experts projected during the previous administration.

African-American poverty has declined to the lowest rate ever recorded.
The veterans' unemployment rate dropped to a record low.
The unemployment rate for disabled Americans has reached an all-time low.
Workers without a high school diploma have achieved the lowest unemployment rate recorded in United States history.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: 2020 State of the Union address to Congress

Vladimir Putin on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 15, 2020)
Russia is courting India to sign a free trade agreement

Russia is courting India to sign a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, or EAEU, a move some experts argue could be a "perfect fit" for both countries. Nikolay Kudashev, the Russian ambassador to India, told reporters that Moscow hoped New Delhi and the EAEU would sign a free trade pact within the next year. Click for Vladimir Putin on other issues. Source: NIKKEI Asia on Foreign Influencers

Pete Buttigieg on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2020)
I support USMCA, but focus on people over corporations

Q: Do you support the USMCA?

BUTTIGIEG: Yes. When you sit down with people, they share how much harm has been done to them by trade wars. We can benefit consumers, workers and farmers by making sure we have the right kind of labor and enforceability, as Democrats ensured we got in this USMCA. But let's acknowledge why there is frustration. I remember the '90s [government] selling trade deals, telling us, the pie will get so much bigger that everyone will be better off. That promise was broken.

Click for Pete Buttigieg on other issues. Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2020)
China trade deal will help farmers, then work to improve it

Q: You support the USMCA?

WARREN: I led the fight against the trade deal with Asia and the deal with Europe, because I didn't think it was in the interests of the American people. But we have farmers who are hurting. They are hurting because of Donald Trump's initiated trade wars. This new trade deal is a modest improvement. It will give some relief to farmers. It will give some relief to workers. I believe we accept that relief, and we get up the next day and fight for a better trade deal.

Sen. Bernie SANDERS: It is not so easy to put together new trade legislation. If this is passed, I think it will set us back a number of years. Senator Warren is right in saying we need to bring the stakeholders to the table, the family farmers here in Iowa and in Vermont and around the country, the environmental community, and the workers. I am sick and tired of trade agreements negotiated by the CEOs of large corporations behind doors.

Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues. Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2020)
Need trade deal that includes stakeholders, not just CEOs

Q: You support the USMCA?

SANDERS: It is not so easy to put together new trade legislation. If this is passed, I think it will set us back a number of years. Senator Warren is right in saying we need to bring the stakeholders to the table, the family farmers here in Iowa and in Vermont and around the country, the environmental community, and the workers. I am sick and tired of trade agreements negotiated by the CEOs of large corporations behind doors.

Sen. Elizabeth WARREN: I led the fight against the trade deal with Asia and the deal with Europe, because I didn't think it was in the interests of the American people. But we have farmers who are hurting. They are hurting because of Donald Trump's initiated trade wars. This new trade deal is a modest improvement. It will give some relief to farmers. It will give some relief to workers. I believe we accept that relief, and we get up the next day and fight for a better trade deal.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Dec 19, 2019)
Supports USMCA because it improves labor standards

Q: Will you support the trade agreement among the US, Canada, and Mexico, recently passed by the House?

Klobuchar: The reason I am voting for it is I believe we have a change with this agreement. We've got better labor standards, better environmental standards, and a better deal when it comes to the pharmaceutical provision. While Senator Sanders is correct, there are some issues with it, is much better than the one originally proposed.

Sen. Bernie Sanders: I voted against NAFTA, voted against PNC with China, agreements that cost four million decent-paying jobs. I don't agree this is going to be a great job creator. This is a modest improvement that would allow Mexican workers to negotiate decent contracts. But it is not going to stop outsourcing. It is not going to stop corporations from moving to Mexico. We need a trade policy that stands up for workers, stands up for farmers. I will not be voting for this agreement.

Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: Newshour/Politico/PBS December Democratic primary debate

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Dec 19, 2019)
USMCA agreement does not prevent outsourcing or talk climate

Q: Will you support the trade agreement among the US, Canada, and Mexico, recently passed by the House?

Sanders: I voted against NAFTA, voted against PNC with China, agreements that cost four million decent-paying jobs. I don't agree this is going to be a great job creator. This is a modest improvement that would allow Mexican workers to negotiate decent contracts. But it is not going to stop outsourcing. It is not going to stop corporations from moving to Mexico. We need a trade policy that stands up for workers, stands up for farmers, and, by the way, the word "climate change" is not discussed, which is an outrage. I will not be voting for this agreement.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar: I am voting for it; I believe we have a change with this agreement. We've got better labor standards, better environmental standards, and a better deal when it comes to the pharmaceutical provision. While Senator Sanders is correct, there are some issues with it, is much better than the one originally proposed.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: Newshour/Politico/PBS December Democratic primary debate

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Energy & Oil Oct 10, 2019)
Environmental standards in trade agreements

Q: You say you support environmental standards in trade agreements?

WARREN: You know, we won't let you pollute here in the US. It can't be the case that you get to produce these products and sell them in the US when you created huge carbon emissions somewhere else around the globe, because it hurts us all. What are those trade policies always driven toward? Not American workers. Not American consumers. Not American values. What have they driven toward? "Make giant multinational corporations more profitable." That's been it. They don't want to hear that we could put other restrictions on trade, that we could use trade to lift standards all around the world, that we could use trade to lift regulatory standards all around the world. And the reason for that is we have not had a government that is working on behalf of the American people. We've had a government and a trade policy that has been all about giant multinational corporations. That is corruption, and I plan to change it.

Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues. Source: CNN LGBT Town Hall 2020

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 12, 2019)
Either we make up trade policy, or China will

Sen. Bernie SANDERS: Joe Biden and I strongly disagree on trade. I helped lead the opposition to NAFTA and PNTR, which cost this country over 4 million good-paying jobs.

BIDEN: Yeah, well, look, we're either going to make policy or China's going to make the rules of the road. We make up 25 percent of the world economy. We need another 25 percent to join us. And I think-Senator Warren is correct: At the table has to be labor and at the table have to be environmentalists. The fact of the matter is, China--the problem isn't the trade deficit, the problem is they're stealing our intellectual property. The problem is they're violating the WTO. They're dumping steel and dumping agricultural products on us. In addition to that, we're in a position where, if we don't set the rules, we, in fact, are going to find ourselves with China setting the rules. And that's why you need to organize the world to take on China, to stop the corrupt practices that are underway.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: September Democratic Primary debate in Houston

Kirsten Gillibrand on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 18, 2019)
NAFTA 2.0 is a disaster; trade war harms producers

Q: Are you worried about a recession?

GILLIBRAND: I'm concerned because I think NAFTA 2.0 is a disaster. I think it was a giveaway to drug companies in Mexico. It's going to harm our jobs. President Trump said no bad trade deals. Not only has he entered into them, but he's started a trade war with China. And it's really harming producers.

Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues. Source: ABC This Week interview for Democratic 2020 Veepstakes

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 12, 2019)
Dislikes multilateral trade deals, including NAFTA and TPP

Like other Democratic candidates running under the progressive banner, de Blasio dislikes America's trade deals. During the second round of Democratic debates he criticized Trump for "trying to sell NAFTA 2.0. He's got a new name for it. It's just as dangerous as the old NAFTA. It's going to take away American jobs like the old NAFTA, like it did to Michigan. And we cannot have Democrats be party to a new NAFTA." He has been a long-time critic of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Back in 2015 he said it would be a "huge mistake" for Congress to approve so-called fast-track treatment of the deal. What's unclear is what kinds of trade deal would meet de Blasio's approval and how many other countries would be willing to meet those terms. Click for Bill de Blasio on other issues. Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2019 Democratic primary

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 31, 2019)
Labor should be involved in renegotiating NAFTA/USMCA

NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio [to Biden]: Are you ready to say that you will oppose a new NAFTA and that what you believe in is trade treaties that empower organized labor across the world and give working people power, not just multinational corporations?

Biden: Yes.

Q: That's it?

Biden: He said, would I insist that labor be engaged? The answer is yes.

De Blasio: I consider that a victory.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: July Democratic Primary debate (second night in Detroit)

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 30, 2019)
NAFTA 2.0 is about Big Pharma extending exclusive profits

Look at the new NAFTA 2.0. What's the central feature? It's to help pharmaceutical companies get longer periods of exclusivity so they can charge Canadians, Americans, and Mexicans more money and make more profits. That's what trade deals have become. They have become a way for giant multinationals to change the regulatory environment so they can suck more profits out for themselves and to leave the American people behind. We have to have the courage to fight back against that corruption. Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues. Source: July Democratic Primary debate (first night in Detroit)

Eric Swalwell on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to NAFTA; use tariffs to crack down

Swalwell on NAFTA/USMCA: Demand changes to USMCA.

15 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Joe Biden; Cory Booker; Peter Buttigieg; Julian Castro; Bill de Blasio; Kirsten Gillibrand; Kamala Harris; John Hickenlooper; Jay Inslee; Amy Klobuchar; Beto O`Rourke; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Elizabeth Warren; Marianne Williamson.

The majority of Democratic candidates want changes made to the agreement before it comes up for a vote in Congress. Seventeen candidates, asked by Citizens Trade Campaign, a national coalition pushing for changes to USMCA, agreed that Congress should not approve the deal until changes have been made.

Swalwell on Tariffs: Use tariffs to crack down on certain countries.

SIX CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Amy Klobuchar; Wayne Messam; Seth Moulton; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Elizabeth Warren.

Some Democrats have embraced duties as a way to crack down on certain countries in some circumstances, although they're critical of Trump's approach.

Click for Eric Swalwell on other issues. Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"

Marianne Williamson on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Williamson on NAFTA/USMCA: Demand changes to USMCA.

15 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Joe Biden; Cory Booker; Pete Buttigieg; Julian Castro; Bill de Blasio; Kirsten Gillibrand; Kamala Harris; John Hickenlooper; Jay Inslee; Amy Klobuchar; Beto O`Rourke; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell; Elizabeth Warren.

The majority of Democratic candidates want changes made to the agreement before it comes up for a vote in Congress, focusing on making changes to labor standards, environmental provisions, access to medicines and enforcement of the deal. Seventeen candidates, asked by Citizens Trade Campaign, a national coalition pushing for changes to USMCA, agreed that Congress should not approve the deal until changes have been made.

Mayor de Blasio has been among the most vocal candidates in expressing his opposition. "It's got a different name, but it's still NAFTA," he told CNN in July. "It's even worse in some ways. It gives even more power to corporations this time."

Click for Marianne Williamson on other issues. Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
USMCA is worse than NAFTA

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA/USMCA: Demand changes to USMCA.

15 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Joe Biden; Cory Booker; Pete Buttigieg; Julian Castro; Kirsten Gillibrand; Kamala Harris; John Hickenlooper; Jay Inslee; Amy Klobuchar; Beto O`Rourke; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell; Elizabeth Warren; Marianne Williamson.

Click for Bill de Blasio on other issues. Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"

Jay Inslee on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Inslee on NAFTA/USMCA: Demand changes to USMCA.

15 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Joe Biden; Cory Booker; Pete Buttigieg; Julian Castro; Bill de Blasio; Kirsten Gillibrand; Kamala Harris; John Hickenlooper; Amy Klobuchar; Beto O`Rourke; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell; Elizabeth Warren; Marianne Williamson.

Click for Jay Inslee on other issues. Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Castro on NAFTA/USMCA: Demand changes to USMCA.

15 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Joe Biden; Cory Booker; Pete Buttigieg; Bill de Blasio; Kirsten Gillibrand; Kamala Harris; John Hickenlooper; Jay Inslee; Amy Klobuchar; Beto O`Rourke; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell; Elizabeth Warren; Marianne Williamson.

Click for Julian Castro on other issues. Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"

Pete Buttigieg on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Buttigieg on NAFTA/USMCA: Demand changes to USMCA.

15 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Joe Biden; Cory Booker; Julian Castro; Bill de Blasio; Kirsten Gillibrand; Kamala Harris; John Hickenlooper; Jay Inslee; Amy Klobuchar; Beto O`Rourke; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell; Elizabeth Warren; Marianne Williamson.

The majority of Democratic candidates want changes made to the agreement before it comes up for a vote in Congress, focusing on labor & environmental standards.

Click for Pete Buttigieg on other issues. Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to NAFTA; use tariffs to crack down

Klobuchar on NAFTA/USMCA: Demand changes to USMCA.

15 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Joe Biden; Cory Booker; Peter Buttigieg; Julian Castro; Bill de Blasio; Kirsten Gillibrand; Kamala Harris; John Hickenlooper; Jay Inslee; Beto O`Rourke; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell; Elizabeth Warren; Marianne Williamson.

Klobuchar on Tariffs: Use tariffs to crack down on certain countries.

SIX CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Wayne Messam; Seth Moulton; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell; Elizabeth Warren.

Some Democrats have embraced duties as a way to crack down on certain countries in some circumstances, although they're critical of Trump's approach.

Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"

Kamala Harris on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Harris on NAFTA/USMCA: Demand changes to USMCA.

15 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Joe Biden; Cory Booker; Pete Buttigieg; Julian Castro; Bill de Blasio; Kirsten Gillibrand; John Hickenlooper; Jay Inslee; Amy Klobuchar; Beto O`Rourke; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell; Elizabeth Warren; Marianne Williamson.

The majority of Democratic candidates want changes made to the agreement before it comes up for a vote in Congress, focusing on labor & environmental standards.

Click for Kamala Harris on other issues. Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Klobuchar on NAFTA/USMCA: Demand changes to USMCA.

15 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Joe Biden; Cory Booker; Pete Buttigieg; Julian Castro; Bill de Blasio; Kirsten Gillibrand; Kamala Harris; John Hickenlooper; Jay Inslee; Beto O`Rourke; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell; Elizabeth Warren; Marianne Williamson.

The majority of Democratic candidates want changes made to the agreement before it comes up for a vote in Congress, focusing on labor & environmental standards.

Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"

Beto O`Rourke on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

O`Rourke on NAFTA/USMCA: Demand changes to USMCA.

15 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Joe Biden; Cory Booker; Pete Buttigieg; Julian Castro; Bill de Blasio; Kirsten Gillibrand; Kamala Harris; John Hickenlooper; Jay Inslee; Amy Klobuchar; Tim Ryan; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell; Elizabeth Warren; Marianne Williamson.

The majority of Democratic candidates want changes made to the agreement before it comes up for a vote in Congress, focusing on labor & environmental standards.

Click for Beto O`Rourke on other issues. Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 14, 2019)
Democrats should stand for workers not corporations

If Democrats are complicit with Republicans in passing a NAFTA treaty -- it's got a different name, but it's still NAFTA. It's even worse in some ways. It gives even more power to corporations this time. A lot of people in this country are going to look at that and say, I can't tell one party from the other. And they're not going to buy into a Democratic Party that seems to be once again just caving to the big corporations, rather than standing up for working people. Click for Bill de Blasio on other issues. Source: CNN "SOTU" 2019 on 2020 candidates

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 11, 2019)
Push for agreements that don't hurt consumers or business

Biden said he'd push for trade agreements that don't hamper the international exchange of goods but don't disadvantage American consumers or business, while also holding China accountable for intellectual property abuses. "There's not going to be a back to business-as-usual on trade," he said. "We need new rules. We need new processes." Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: Seattle Times on 2019 Democratic primary

Joe Sestak on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 23, 2019)
Re-join the Trans-Pacific Partnership

I believe we lost an important opportunity to shape the future of global trade when we withdrew our involvement from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. While that trade agreement was far from perfect, it gave us the chance to set the rules of engagement across a critically important region, home to some of the world's most dynamic, influential, and rapidly changing countries. Our withdrawal also sent a worrying signal to our friends and allies in the region that we are not interested in expanding our engagement with them, and that in the absence of US global leadership, China will inevitably fill the vacuum. As President, I will seek to reaffirm our commitment to the Asia Pacific region by re-joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership while improving the agreement to ensure that it serves our people, not merely our corporations. I will make certain that all future trade agreements and trade policy decisions are made principally for the benefit of the American people. Click for Joe Sestak on other issues. Source: 2020 presidential campaign website JoeSestak.com

Howie Hawkins on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 28, 2019)
Trade agreements must benefit workers, protect environment

Our campaign is about fair trade in commodities and capital while protecting the human right to freedom of movement. We want trade agreements to be reformed or replaced to benefit working people and protect the environment in the US and around the world. We oppose the corporate-managed trade agreements that have enabled global corporations to play the workers of different countries off against each other in a race to the bottom. Click for Howie Hawkins on other issues. Source: Declaration of Candidacy for the Green Party Nomination

Kamala Harris on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 12, 2019)
Trade agreements should address climate change

I would not have voted for NAFTA, and because I believe that we can do a better job to protect American workers. I also believe that we need to do a better job in terms of thinking about the priorities that should be more apparent now perhaps than they were, which are issues like the climate crisis, and what we need to do to build into these trade agreements. Click for Kamala Harris on other issues. Source: CNN SOTU 2019 interview of presidential hopefuls

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 11, 2019)
Protect American workers but take part in global economy

We live in a 21st century global economy. We need to make sure that we always protect our American workers and companies, that they benefit by whatever we do in terms of trade. But we are going to compete in a 21st century global economy, and we need to do that effectively. We're going to crack down on people who cheat. Before we enter into any kind of trade agreement, we want to make sure that we have tougher environmental standards, labor standards, and enforcement standards. Click for Julian Castro on other issues. Source: CNN Town Hall: 2020 presidential hopefuls

Beto O`Rourke on NAFTA: (Free Trade Mar 14, 2019)
Support NAFTA and TPP

Hailing from a border area that relies on trade with Mexico, O'Rourke supports the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, and has indicated he would not significantly renegotiate it. He also supported other large trade deals including, in 2015, the initial attempts by Congress to move forward with the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Click for Beto O`Rourke on other issues. Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls

Pete Buttigieg on NAFTA: (Jobs Feb 15, 2019)
Unions good for US workers, but not NAFTA

The Democrat thinks NAFTA caused irreplaceable job losses across the industrial Midwest. He is a strong supporter of labor and union groups, and says Democrats must work harder to advocate for working people and help them achieve economic stability. Click for Pete Buttigieg on other issues. Source: PBS Newshour on 2020 Democratic primary

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 6, 2019)
FactCheck: NAFTA displaced 851,700; but net loss 15,000/year

CLAIM: Trump, in urging Congress to support his new trade agreement, said he had met men and women across the country whose "dreams were shattered by NAFTA" [implying job losses].

FACT-CHECK: One analysis of the Clinton-era North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) found that about 851,700 U.S. jobs were displaced by the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico between 1993 (shortly before NAFTA was implemented) and 2014. That's a data point that was cited by Bernie Sanders during his 2016 campaign, when he frequently decried job losses due to NAFTA.

A 2014 study found that while NAFTA has caused about 203,000 jobs to be displaced by NAFTA-related imports annually, imports support 188,000 new jobs, leading to a net loss of only about 15,000 annually.

And the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service wrote in 2017 that "in reality, NAFTA did not cause the huge job losses feared by the critics... because trade with Canada & Mexico accounts for a small percentage of U.S. GDP."

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: NBC News Fact-Check on 2019 State of the Union address

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 6, 2019)
FactCheck: NAFTA displaced 851,700; but net loss 15,000/year

CLAIM: Trump, in urging Congress to support his new trade agreement, said he had met men and women across the country whose "dreams were shattered by NAFTA" [implying job losses].

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: NBC News Fact-Check on 2019 State of the Union address

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 5, 2019)
USMCA delivers dreams shattered by catastrophe of NAFTA

A historic trade blunder was the catastrophe known as NAFTA. I have met the men & women whose dreams were shattered by NAFTA. For years, politicians promised them they would negotiate for a better deal. But no one ever tried--until now.

Our new US-Mexico-Canada Agreement--or USMCA--will replace NAFTA and deliver for American workers: bringing back our manufacturing jobs, expanding American agriculture, and ensuring that more cars are proudly stamped with four beautiful words: made in the USA.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: 2019 State of the Union address to United States Congress

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2019)
Renegotiate NAFTA to protect workers & environment

Castro wishes to renegotiate the NAFTA trade deal in order to provide more protections for workers and the environment. Click for Julian Castro on other issues. Source: Townhall.com: "The 2020 Democrats" (presidential hopefuls)

Kirsten Gillibrand on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 16, 2019)
Renegotiate NAFTA; add environmental protections

The New York senator would like to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. She agrees with President Donald Trump about ending a system of tribunals that resolve trade differences. But she would like to see more environmental protections and more gains for dairy farmers who trade goods with Canada. Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues. Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 12, 2019)
Renegotiate NAFTA

As mayor of San Antonio, Castro strongly supported NAFTA and expanding the trade deal. He has said that he believes the agreement should be renegotiated to strengthen worker and environmental protections. Click for Julian Castro on other issues. Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls

John Hickenlooper on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 2, 2018)
Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA

The USMCA is a new trade pact among the United States, Mexico and Canada, intended as a stronger and modernized replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-CO): "Let's hope all 3 countries can move ahead with the new trade agreement with certainty, with protections for Colorado farmers, workers and businesses."

Click for John Hickenlooper on other issues. Source: White House press release in 2020 presidential hopefuls

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Technology Sep 17, 2018)
Let US companies work in China with proprietary technology

Trump's second round of tariffs on imports worth $200 billion--and a threat that the US would "immediately pursue phase three" if China retaliates--shows his administration's determination to force Beijing to allow US companies to operate in China as Chinese companies can in America. China restricts foreign participation in key sectors including media and car manufacturing, under Beijing's agreement to join the WTO in 2001. In many cases, these restrictions force foreign companies to form joint ventures and turn over proprietary technologies to their local partners to tap the Chinese market.

"For months, we have urged China to change these unfair practices, and give fair and reciprocal treatment to American companies," Trump said in a statement. "We have been very clear about the type of changes that need to be made, and we have given China every opportunity to treat us more fairly. But, so far, China has been unwilling to change its practices."

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: South China Morning Post on 2018 Trump Administration

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 17, 2017)
Put American firms first in federal contracts

President Trump's April 18 executive order will strengthen rules barring foreign contractors from bidding on government projects, and will direct the Department of Commerce to review federal procurement rules and trade agreements with a view to putting American firms at an advantage when it comes to winning contracts.

"This is the policy that ensures no one gets left behind in America anymore--that we protect our industry from unfair competition, favor the products produced by our fellow citizens and make certain that when jobs open those jobs are given to American workers first," the White House said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear how much the administration could accomplish without cooperation from Congress. However, industry experts said Trump's executive order was a good first step to protecting the U.S. defense industrial base, and U.S. firms that do business with the federal government.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: Washington Post on Trump Administration promises

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Budget & Economy Feb 28, 2017)
Restart engine after worst financial recovery in 65 years

We must honestly acknowledge the circumstances we inherited: 94 million Americans are out of the labor force. Over 43 million people are now living in poverty. More than 1 in 5 people in their prime working years are not working. We have the worst financial recovery in 65 years.

We've lost more than 1/4 of our manufacturing jobs since NAFTA was approved, and we've lost 60,000 factories since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001. Our trade deficit in goods with the world last year was nearly $800 billion dollars.

To accomplish our goals at home and abroad, we must restart the engine of the American economy--making it easier for companies to do business in the United States, and much harder for companies to leave.

Right now, American companies are taxed at one of the highest rates anywhere in the world. My economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: 2017 State of the Union address to Congress

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 24, 2017)
Trade deals should be one-on-one that US can terminate

I've withdrawn America from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. So that we can protect our economic freedom. And we're going to make trade deals, but we're going to do one on one, and if they misbehave, we terminate the deal and then they'll come back and we'll make a better deal. None of these big quagmire deals that are a disaster. Take a look at NAFTA, one of the worst deals ever made by any country. It's economy un-development, as far as our country is concerned. Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: Time magazine, "Trump speech at CPAC 2017"

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Nov 15, 2016)
American jobs must no longer be our number one export

Economists across the political spectrum--including the pro-NAFTA Peterson Institute for International Economics, which estimated that 39 percent of the growth in U.S. wage inequality is attributable to our disastrous trade deals--agree that "free" trade has contributed to rising U.S. income inequality. U.S. manufacturing workers who lose jobs to trade and find new employment are typically forced to take significant pay cuts. Three out of every five displaced manufacturing workers who were rehired in 2014 took home smaller paychecks, and one out of three lost more than 20 percent of his or her income.

We have got to turn this around/ American jobs must no longer be our number one export. We must not only defeat the TPP, we must fundamentally renegotiate our failed trade agreements--including NAFTA, PNTR with China, and other existing trade pacts.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: Our Revolution, by Bernie Sanders, p. 295

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 26, 2016)
Support deals good for US economy & security; not CAFTA!

When I was in the Senate, I had a number of trade deals that came before me, and I held them all to the same test. Will they create jobs in America? Will they raise incomes in America? And are they good for our national security? Some of them I voted for. The biggest one, a multinational one known as CAFTA, I voted against. And because I hold the same standards as I look at all of these trade deals. But let's not assume that trade is the only challenge we have in the economy. I think it is a part of it, and I've said what I'm going to do. I'm going to have a special prosecutor. We're going to enforce the trade deals we have, and we're going to hold people accountable. When I was secretary of state, we actually increased American exports globally 30 percent. We increased them to China 50 percent. So I know how to really work to get new jobs and to get exports that helped to create more new jobs. Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: First 2016 Presidential Debate at Hofstra University

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 26, 2016)
NAFTA was worst trade deal ever; TPP is a close second

Trump: NAFTA was one of the worst things that ever happened to the manufacturing industry. You go to New England, you go to Ohio, Pennsylvania, you go anywhere you want, Secretary Clinton, and you will see devastation where manufacture is down 30, 40, sometimes 50 percent. NAFTA is the worst trade deal maybe ever signed anywhere, but certainly ever signed in this country. And now [Clinton wants] to approve Trans-Pacific Partnership. You were totally in favor of it. Then you heard what I was saying, how bad it is, and you said, "I can't win that debate." But you know that if you did win, you would approve that, and that will be almost as bad as NAFTA. Nothing will ever top NAFTA.

Clinton: Well, that is just not accurate. I was against it once it was finally negotiated and the terms were laid out.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: First 2016 Presidential Debate at Hofstra University

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 16, 2016)
Supports Trans-Pacific Partnership but not trade ideology

Ohio Gov. John Kasich says he feels it's his "responsibility and duty as a leader"--no matter the political cost--to help President Barack Obama shepherd the Trans-Pacific Partnership through Congress. "I have never been an ideological supporter of free trade. The ideologues use to come to me and be frustrated with me," he said. "But when you look at these agreements in a real sense--this one is much different than even NAFTA," Kasich added. "This is China. This is Russia. These are fledgling countries in Asia and we want to pivot to Asia? We have to do this."

He said he doesn't mind the political backlash he could face. "I welcome the fact that people will criticize me for putting my country ahead of my party," Kasich said. Kasich and Obama could be facing an uphill battle: Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton oppose the 12-nation Pacific Rim deal, which Obama has pitched as a way to counterbalance China's rise in the region.

Click for John Kasich on other issues. Source: CNN's E.Bradner & E.Scott on 2016 presidential hopefuls

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 20, 2016)
Support multilateral negotiations: no nation ruined by trade

Pence praised the benefits of NAFTA and the GATT Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations saying, "Our existing trade agreements have truly benefited Indiana and the entire United States." In 2005 Pence supported CAFTA; in one floor speech Pence quoted Benjamin Franklin: "No nation was ever ruined by trade." In another speech, he urged his colleagues to approve CAFTA to "keep the dream of ever-expanding democracy and American ideals in our hemisphere alive."

Three years later, Pence signed onto a letter with other House GOP leaders urging then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi to allow a vote on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. It noted that "Tens of millions of jobs across every sector of our economy are supported by trade." Three years later in 2011, Pence took to the House floor to "heartily support" free trade agreements with Colombia, Korea, and Panama, which were approved by large bipartisan majorities in Congress that fall.

Click for Mike Pence on other issues. Source: US Chamber of Commerce, "Above the Fold," by Sean Hackbarth

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Foreign Policy Jul 19, 2016)
Don't have paranoid delusions about one world government

In a 1995 interview, Mike Pence echoed then-President Bill Clinton's call in denouncing the "promoters of paranoia" on the radio and singled out one radio host for promoting "one world government" conspiracies about NAFTA: "I think President Clinton is right in that vein. We have rights in America. In tandem with those rights we have responsibility," Pence said. "Whatever type of journalist we are, whether it be in the entertainment business, or as professional journalists, we always have the consequences of the way we present fact and information.

Pence blasted one host by name, Stan Solomon, who he said promoted conspiracy theories about free trade: "Stan Solomon is a talk radio host who trades in conspiracy theories, who trades in the idea that NAFTA, or GATT, are both part of a one world government conspiracy. While I don't believe that is true, we just don't want to fuel paranoid delusions."

Click for Mike Pence on other issues. Source: BuzzFeed.com, "Conspiracy Theorists," by Andrew Kaczynski

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 14, 2016)
Supports TPP and trade agreements with Pacific Rim and China

Before he became Trump's vice-presidential nominee, Mike Pence supported every free-trade agreement that came before him. That record puts him squarely at odds with Trump on one of the signature issues of the businessman's presidential campaign.

Pence backed trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea, Panama, Peru, Oman, Chile and Singapore during his House tenure from 2001 through 2012.
He voted to keep the US in the World Trade Organization and to maintain permanent normal trade relations with China, the country Trump repeatedly criticizes for unfair trade practices.
Pence also has publicly supported the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement of Pacific Rim nations, which Trump opposes and has likened to rape.

Pence wrote, "Reducing tariffs and other trade barriers is something that Congress must do. I encourage your support for any trade-related measures when they are brought before the Congress." Click for Mike Pence on other issues. Source: Washington Post, "Huge supporter," on 2016 Veepstakes

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 28, 2016)
Identify every violation of trade agreements, and prosecute

A Trump Administration will change our failed trade policy--quickly. Here are 7 steps I would pursue right away to bring back our jobs.

Withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which has not yet been ratified.
Appoint the toughest and smartest trade negotiators to fight on behalf of American workers.
Identify every violation of trade agreements a foreign country is currently using to harm our workers. I will then use every tool under American and international law to end these abuses.
Tell our NAFTA partners that I intend to immediately renegotiate the terms of that agreement to get a better deal for our workers, or submit notice under Article 2205 that America intends to withdraw from the deal.
Label China a currency manipulator.
Bring trade cases against China, both in this country and at the WTO, for China's unfair subsidy behavior.
IUse every lawful presidential power to remedy trade disputes, including the application of tariffs.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: RealClearPolitics.com on 2016 presidential hopefuls

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 7, 2016)
NAFTA was a disaster; we will not repeat mistake with TPP

Mayor Bill de Blasio today joined a slew of city politicians to decry President Barack Obama's proposed Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal--comparing it to North American Free Trade Agreement, which he deemed a "disaster." "There's such passion on this issue because we've already been to this movie," Mr. de Blasio said at an anti-TPP rally in front of City Hall this morning. "We saw it with NAFTA. We saw what a disaster NAFTA was, and we're not going to repeat that mistake in our time." Click for Bill de Blasio on other issues. Source: New York Observer on 2020 presidential hopefuls

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2016)
Don't believe that unfettered trade creates U.S. jobs

SANDERS: I do not believe in unfettered free trade. I believe in fair trade which works for the middle class and working families, not just large multinational corporations. I was on the picket line in opposition to NAFTA. We heard people tell us how many jobs would be created. I didn't believe that for a second because I understood what the function of NAFTA, CAFTA, PNTR with China, and the TPP is, it's to say to American workers, hey, you are now competing against people in Vietnam who make 56 cents an hour minimum wage. This is an area where the secretary and I have disagreements

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: MSNBC Democratic primary debate in New Hampshire

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2016)
I disagree with Obama on TPP, but he's done a great job

Q: President Obama is for the Asian trade deal known as TPP. Is President Obama, based on this policy, a progressive?

SANDERS: If we remember where this country was seven years ago, 800,000 jobs lost monthly, $1.4 trillion dollar deficit, the financial system on the verge of collapse. I think that President Obama has done a fantastic job. Do I think President Obama is a progressive? Yes, but I disagree with him on issues including the trade agreement, but I think he has done an excellent job.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: MSNBC Democratic primary debate in New Hampshire

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2016)
I oppose CAFTA & TPP, but global economy needs trade

CLINTON: I voted for a multinational trade agreement, but I opposed CAFTA because I did not believe it was in the best interests of the workers of America. I did hope that the TPP, negotiated by this administration, I was holding out hope that it would be the kind of trade agreement that I was looking for. Once I saw the outcome, I opposed it. I have a very clear view. We have to trade with the rest of the world. We are 5 percent of the world's population. We have to trade with the other 95 percent. And trade has to be reciprocal. That's the way the global economy works. But we have failed to provide the basic safety net support that American workers need in order to be able to compete and win in the global economy.

SANDERS: I do not believe in unfettered free trade. I believe in fair trade which works for the middle class and working families, not just large multinational corporations. This is an area where the secretary and I have disagreements.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: MSNBC Democratic primary debate in New Hampshire

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2016)
I support fair trade against dumping, to protect steel

I'm a free trader. I support NAFTA. [But] what happens is somebody dumps their product in our country and takes our jobs, and then we go to an international court and it takes them a year or two to figure out whether they were cheating us. And the worker's out of a job. How do I know this? Many people in my family worked in steel mills. And the fact is those jobs are critical. Let's demand open trade but fair trade. Click for John Kasich on other issues. Source: Fox Business Republican 2-tier debate

Ron DeSantis on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 27, 2015)
No to Ex-im bank; Yes to fast-track

Voted NAY on Trade adjustment assistance (TAA): On 6/12/15, the House rejected the TAA measure in HR 1314 by a vote of 126 to 302. TAA is a federal program providing American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services.
Voted YEA on Trade promotion authority (TPA): On 6/12/15, the House narrowly passed the TPA measure in HR 1314 by a vote of 219 to 211. TPA would give the president fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent to Congress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster.
Voted NAY on Export-Import Bank: On 10/27/15, the House passed HR 597, the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act, by a vote of 313-118. The bill allows the Export-Import Bank to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that want to buy U.S. goods.

Click for Ron DeSantis on other issues. Source: Ballotpedia.org coverage of 2016 Florida Senate race

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 25, 2015)
I strongly opposed NAFTA and DOMA from their inception

I have strongly criticized the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Defense of Marriage Act since a certain presidential couple enacted them back in the 90's. Six months ago, when I began my campaign and announced we were going to take on these types of legislation, as well as the political and economic establishment of this country, very few people knew who I was. Well, in the last six months, things have changed. Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: ABC News on 2015 presidential Democratic hopefuls in Iowa

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 18, 2015)
Restrict free trade to keep jobs in US

Q: You would end NAFTA, kill the Pacific Trade Agreement, impose tariffs on some products like 35% on Ford cars made in Mexico.

TRUMP: I am all for free trade, but it's got to be fair. When Ford moves their massive plants to Mexico, we get nothing. I want them to stay in Michigan.

Q: But the American Enterprise Institute says, your Trump Collection clothing line, some of it is made in Mexico and China.

TRUMP: That's true. I want it to be made here.

Q: The point is you're doing just what Ford is--you're taking advantage of a global trading market.

TRUMP: I never dispute that. I just ordered 4,000 television sets from South Korea. I don't want to order them from South Korea. I don't think anybody makes television sets in the United States anymore. I talk about it all the time. We don't make anything anymore. Now you look at Boeing. Boeing's going over to China. They're going to build a massive plant because China's demanding it in order to order airplanes from Boeing.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: Fox News Sunday 2015 Coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 11, 2015)
Does not support ANY free trade agreements

Q: What do you think about the new TPP trade deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership?

SANDERS: I voted against NAFTA, CAFTA, PNTR with China. I think they have been a disaster for the American worker. A lot of corporations that shut down here move abroad. Working people understand that after NAFTA, CAFTA, PNTR with China we have lost millions of decent paying jobs. Since 2001, 60,000 factories in America have been shut down. We're in a race to the bottom, where our wages are going down. Is all of that attributable to trade? No. Is a lot of it? Yes. TPP was written by corporate America and the pharmaceutical industry and Wall Street. That's what this trade agreement is about. I do not want American workers to competing against people in Vietnam who make 56 cents an hour for a minimum wage.

Q: So basically, there's never been a single trade agreement this country's negotiated that you've been comfortable with?

SANDERS: That's correct.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: Meet the Press 2015 interview moderated by Chuck Todd

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 7, 2015)
Trans Pacific trade deal doesn't meet my standards

The Trans Pacific Partnership, which includes the US and 11 other nations, is the largest regional trade agreement in history. But as of today, I am not in favor of what I have learned about it. I don't believe it's going to meet the high bar I have set for creating jobs and advancing national security. I am also worried about currency manipulation not being part of the agreement, and that pharmaceutical companies may have gotten more benefits from the deal than their patients. Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: PBS.org on 2015 presidential hopefuls

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 5, 2015)
China trade has led to loss of 3M American jobs so far

Q: What does Bernie's track record look like with regard to Chinese trade policy?

A: Time and time again, Bernie has voted against free trade deals with China. In 1999, Bernie voted in the House against granting China "Most Favored Nation" status. In 2000, Bernie voted against Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China which aimed to create jobs, but instead lead to the loss of more than 3 million jobs for Americans.

Q: Maybe these trade agreements aren't all great for Americans, but don't they provide millions of jobs for Chinese workers?

A: Bernie firmly rejects the idea that America's standard of living must drop in order to see a raise in the standard of living in China.

Q: So what does Bernie propose we do?

A: Instead of passing such trade deals again and again, Bernie argues we must "develop trade policies which demand that American corporations create jobs here, and not abroad."

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: 2016 grassroots campaign website FeelTheBern.org, "Issues"

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 24, 2015)
Increase jobs by exporting, and enforcing against dumping

A principal goal of US internationalism should be to increase American jobs through exporting our goods to international markets where trade agreements are fair and actually enforced. (I have testified in front of the US International Trade Commission for stringent enforcement of laws when foreign companies have illegally dumped their products--primarily steel--on our shores.) While I've voted for some trade agreements, I've voted against others based on the impact on Minnesota workers and businesses. Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: The Senator Next Door, by Amy Klobuchar, p.266-7

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 26, 2015)
Open trade is good for us, but don't be saps

Kasich said he believes in free trade, but not at all costs. Kasich admits to being a supporter of the North American Free Trade Agreement even though it cost jobs in his state. "The interesting thing is, there are now some car companies talking about moving things to Mexico and they're citing NAFTA, and I'm going to dig into that, Kasich said. But, he added, "By and large, open trade is good for us."

Still, he added, "I think that we have in some ways been saps. I have a friend that ran a steel company. I said, 'do you think, Koreans, for example, are dumping material and destroying our jobs?' He said, 'yes, but it takes two years to get a remedy.' That is baloney."

While he is for free trade, Kasich said, "I am for clamping down when the United States worker gets shafted because somebody is cheating on a trade agreement."

Click for John Kasich on other issues. Source: Newsmax.com on 2016 Presidential hopefuls

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 25, 2015)
Trade, but not at all costs: clamp down on cheaters

John Kasich said he believes in free trade, but not at all costs. Kasich admits to being a supporter of the North American Free Trade Agreement even though it cost jobs in his state. "The interesting thing is, there are now some car companies talking about moving things to Mexico and they're citing NAFTA, and I'm going to dig into that," Kasich said. But, he added, "By and large, open trade is good for us."

Still, he added, "I think that we have in some ways been saps. I have a friend that ran a steel company. I said, `do you think Koreans are dumping material and destroying our jobs?' He said, `Yes; why don't we do something about it? It takes two years to get a remedy.' That is baloney."

While he is for free trade, Kasich said, "I am for clamping down when the US worker gets shafted because somebody is cheating on a trade agreement." Kasich said the country's problems can't be fixed with "hot rhetoric" or just one party, & his problem-solving abilities are what make him the best choice.

Click for John Kasich on other issues. Source: Newsmax.com's Greg Richter on 2016 presidential hopefuls

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Immigration Jun 29, 2015)
Since NAFTA, Mexican undocumented immigration up 185%

Since the implementation of NAFTA, the number of Mexicans living below the poverty line has increased by over 14 million people. Almost 2 million small famers have been displaced. And in the twenty years since NAFTA growth in per capita GDP has been only half of that experienced by other Latin American nations. Not surprisingly we have seen a 185 percent increase in the number of undocumented immigrants from Mexico from 1992 to 2011.

We as a nation have got to realize the importance of dealing not just with the issue of immigration but with the very real refugee crisis we face.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: The Essential Bernie Sanders, by Jonathan Tasini, p. 98

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 23, 2015)
Key is fair, enforceable agreements that protect workers

6/23/2015 Tariffs today are generally low. As a result, modern trade agreements are less about reducing tariffs and more about writing new rules for everything from labor, health, and environmental standards to food safety, prescription drug access, and copyright Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues. Source: Boston Globe 2016 Veepstakes: Warren OpEd

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 14, 2015)
Base trade policy on working families, not multinationals

Q: The president says that expanding trade helps service industries & opens new markets. You talk about workers that would lose their job from trade. They say this will open up markets that will increase jobs.

SANDERS: I have been hearing that argument for the last 25 years. I heard it about NAFTA. I heard it about CAFTA. I heard it about permanent normal trade relations with China. Here is the fact. Since 2001, we have lost almost 60,000 factories and millions of good-paying jobs. I'm not saying trade is the only reason, but it is a significant reason why Americans are working longer hours for low wages and why we are seeing our jobs go to China and other low-wage countries. And, finally, what you're seeing in Congress are Democrats and some Republicans beginning to stand up and say, maybe we should have a trade policy which represents the working families of this country, that rebuilds our manufacturing base, not than just representing the CEOs of large multinational corporations.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: CBS Face the Nation 2015 coverage:2016 presidential hopefuls

Joe Sestak on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 7, 2015)
Supports Ex-Im Bank & supports trade agreements in principle

Sestak contrasted his ideas against opponent Pat Toomey's comments about the Export-Import Bank, a federal agency that provides financing and insurance to businesses that export their products. In a recent letter to fellow senators, Toomey argued that the bank should not be reauthorized because it is "one of the most egregious forms of corporate welfare in our government."

Sestak isn't taking a position yet on a pending trade agreement that the Obama administration argues will create job opportunities by boosting exports. Some Democrats have expressed skepticism that the deal with Japan and other Pacific countries will be beneficial to Pennsylvania.

Sestak said he wants to see the United States, not China, helping set trade guidelines in those countries--a position that Toomey also has outlined. "In principle, I'd like to be for it, because I want to set the rules of the road for trade," Sestaksaid. "Trade is part of our national security."

Click for Joe Sestak on other issues. Source: Mcall.com coverage of 2016 Pennsylvania Senate race

Joe Sestak on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 7, 2015)
Supports TPP in principle, but verify openly before we trust

Sestak isn't taking a position yet on a pending trade agreement [the Trans-Pacific Partnership] that the Obama administration argues will create job opportunities by boosting exports. Sestak was critical of the Obama administration's not being more forthcoming about the trade negotiations, saying those details should be available before the president seeks a faster approval process for completing the trade deal.

"But don't you trust Obama?" asked one citizen. "I'm a guy that verifies before he trusts," Sestak replied.

In an interview later, Sestak said some U.S. workers have been harmed by past trade deals, particularly those without a college degree. Better job-retraining programs should be put in place to help workers who might be hurt by the ripple effects of a trade agreement, along with tough requirements on labor practices and environmental standards for countries that sign the eventual deal.

Click for Joe Sestak on other issues. Source: Mcall.com coverage of 2016 Pennsylvania Senate race

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 27, 2015)
TPP must produce jobs, raise wages, & protect security

An MSNBC reporter asked Clinton on April 21 whether she had concerns about the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement the Obama administration is in the process of negotiating, According to CBS, Clinton responded, "Any trade deal has to produce jobs and raise wages and increase prosperity and protect our security. We have to do our part in making sure we have the capabilities and the skills to be competitive. It's got to be really a partnership between our business, our government, our workforce, the intellectual property that comes out of our universities, and we have to get back to a much more focused effort in my opinion to try to produce those capacities here at home so that we can be competitive in a global economy." Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: National Journal 2015 coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 22, 2015)
Against a Pacific Trade Deal that only works for rich

Warren and the progressive left, scarred by trade deals past like the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, have launched a vocal fight against granting the president so-called "fast-track" authority to negotiate a 12-country Pacific trade deal. "Are you ready to fight? No more secret deals. No more special deals for multi-national corporations. Are you ready to fight? Are you ready to fight any more deals that say we're going to help the rich get richer and leave everyone else behind?" Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues. Source: National Public Radio on 2016 Veepstakes

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 19, 2015)
Wrong, wrong, wrong that trade deals create jobs here

Q: As secretary of state, Clinton said she favored a trade deal with our 11 Pacific partners & fast track authority to make that happen. Is that an issue for you?

SANDERS: In the House and Senate, I voted against all of these terrible trade agreements, NAFTA, CAFTA, permanent normal trades relations with China. Republicans and Democrats, they say, "oh, we'll create all these jobs by having a trade agreement with China." Well, the answer is, they were wrong, wrong, wrong. Over the years, we have lost millions of decent paying jobs. These trade agreements have forced wages down in America so the average worker in America today is working longer hours for lower wages.

Q: So, is that a litmus test for you, to see whether or not Clinton is going to come out against the TPP?

SANDERS: I hope very much the secretary comes out against it. I think we do not need to send more jobs to low wage countries. I think corporate America has to start investing in this country and create decent paying jobs here.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: Fox News Sunday 2015 coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Mar 21, 2015)
End disastrous NAFTA, CAFTA, and PNTR with China

Since 2001 we have lost more than 60,000 factories in this country, and more than 4.9 million decent-paying manufacturing jobs. We must end our disastrous trade policies (NAFTA, CAFTA, PNTR with China, etc.) which enable corporate America to shut down plants in this country and move to China and other low-wage countries. We need to end the race to the bottom and develop trade policies which demand that American corporations create jobs here, and not abroad. Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: 2016 presidential campaign website, BernieSanders.com

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 15, 2015)
Stop TPP, the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Trade Policies that Benefit American Workers:
Since 2001 we have lost more than 60,000 factories in this country, and more than 4.9 million decent-paying manufacturing jobs. We must end our disastrous trade policies (NAFTA, CAFTA, PNTR with China, etc.) which enable corporate America to shut down plants in this country and move to China and other low-wage countries. We need to end the race to the bottom and develop trade policies which demand that American corporations create jobs here, and not abroad.

[We should also] sign the petition to stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership--another trade deal disaster.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: 12 Steps Forward, by Sen. Bernie Sanders

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Corporations Dec 10, 2014)
OpEd: Disagrees with progressives on corporatism & military

Is Hillary a progressive? The answer is unambiguously no; Hillary is a liberal centrist. Progressives support "fair trade," which means that free trade agreements should include environmental and labor clauses; Hillary is an ardent free-trader. WikiLeaks' Julian Assange is a hero to progressives who believe in open government and oppose secrecy, but a traitor to Hillary. Progressives ardently oppose military intervention abroad; Hillary is a hawk. And progressives are ardently anti-corporate, while Hillary is pro-corporate.

Often the difference is a matter of degree: progressives would tax capital gains as regular income; Hillary might only moderately increase it, as illustrated in this exchange:

The capital gains tax under Bill Clinton was 28%. It's now 15%.

CLINTON: I wouldn't raise it above the 20% if I raised it at all. I would not raise it above what it was during the Clinton administration.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: Jeb vs. Hillary On The Issues, by Jesse Gordon, p.37,66,&168

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Nov 18, 2014)
Trade deals are Christmas gifts for big corporations

For big corporations, trade agreement time is like Christmas morning. They can get special gifts they could never pass through Congress out in public.

Fair trade: If we are going to sell our products to the rest of the world, we need to strengthen trade laws and ensure their enforcement. We need to make sure that those we compete with also respect workers' rights and environmental rules.

Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues. Source: Quotable Elizabeth Warren, by Frank Marshall, p. 77&145

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Nov 18, 2014)
Make trade deals transparent, even if that causes opposition

I have hear the argument that transparency would undermine the Trade Representative's policy to complete the trade agreement because public opposition would be significant. In other words, if people knew what was going on, they would stop it. This argument is exactly backwards. If transparency would lead to widespread public opposition to a trade agreement, then that trade agreement should not be the policy of the United States. Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues. Source: Quotable Elizabeth Warren, by Frank Marshall, p. 11

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 24, 2014)
Chief advocate for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

Within the populist Democratic movement, there is a rising tide against once-popular trade deals. Clinton has been involved with many of the pacts from her time as first lady, in the Senate and finally, as part of the Obama administration.

Clinton saw herself in the middle of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during her husband's presidency. She supported deals with Oman, Chile and Singapore during her tenure in the Senate. As secretary of State, she was a chief advocate as talks commenced surrounding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), one of the largest worldwide deals in recent history.

Many proponents of the agreements argue that negotiations need to take place in secret in order to protect the fragile interests of participating countries. This has not sat well with public interest groups and more liberal members of the Democratic Party.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: Megan R. Wilson in TheHill.com weblog, "Clinton vs. Warren"

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 2, 2013)
Permanent normal trade relations to Russia

[Recent internationally] important step enabled us to do some good things: to negotiate, ratify and implement the New START Treaty; to expand economic and trade relationships--including both Russian accession to the WTO and extension of the permanent normal trade relations to Russia; to build a bilateral presidential commission that networks Russian and American officials and publics on the broadest cooperative agenda the US and Russia have ever tried to share.

But we are not naive--neither Russia or the US. We will not agree with Russia on everything. For example, the US will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. These differences are real. But we continue to see opportunities for the US & Russia to partner in ways that advance our mutual security interest & the interest of the international community--whether by safeguarding and reducing nuclear arsenals, or boosting our trade & investment to help each other unlock the enormous innovative potential of our societies.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: Speech at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 24, 2012)
Double US exports via deals with Panama, Colombia, & S.Korea

Two years ago, I set a goal of doubling US exports over five years. With the bipartisan trade agreements I signed into law, we are on track to meet that goal--ahead of schedule. Soon, there will be millions of new customers for American goods in Panama, Colombia, and South Korea. Soon, there will be new cars on the streets of Seoul imported from Detroit, and Toledo, and Chicago.

I will go anywhere in the world to open new markets for American products.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2012 State of the Union speech

Deval Patrick on NAFTA: (Principles & Values Apr 12, 2011)
Met wife, at Halloween party, while dressed as Masai warrior

A delightful old soul named Robert Hubbell invited me to a Halloween party and insisted that I dress in costume. I reluctantly agreed.

I wore a full-length caftan from Nigeria and no shoes, smeared war paint across my face, and carried a Masai spear. I thought I looked pretty good until I walked into the party and realized that I was the only one in costume. The joke was on me. Little did I know that the surprises were just beginning.

The entire party was an elaborate scheme for me to meet Diane--to engineer a chance encounter--and I was the only one out of the loop. Diane knew why she was there and had been told all about me. I, on the other hand, dressed as a mock African warrior, was blissfully ignorant.

The light finally dawned during the pumpkin carving contest, when Diane and I were paired. The prize was a single bottle of champagne. We won, of course, but the contest was shamelessly rigged. [We got engaged after dating a while.]

Click for Deval Patrick on other issues. Source: A Reason to Believe, by Gov. Deval Patrick, p. 89-90

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 26, 2011)
Double our exports by 2014; starting with South Korea

To help businesses sell more products abroad, we set a goal of doubling our exports by 2014--because the more we export, the more jobs we create here at home. Already, our exports are up. Recently, we signed agreements with India and China that will support more than 250,000 jobs here in the US. And last month, we finalized a trade agreement with South Korea that will support at least 70,000 American jobs. This agreement has unprecedented support from business and labor, Democrats and Republicans--and I ask this Congress to pass it as soon as possible.

Before I took office, I made it clear that we would enforce our trade agreements, and that I would only sign deals that keep faith with American workers and promote American jobs. That's what we did with Korea, and that's what I intend to do as we pursue agreements with Panama and Colombia and continue our Asia Pacific and global trade talks.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2011 State of the Union speech

Rand Paul on NAFTA: (Foreign Policy Nov 1, 2010)
Exit the UN; maintain US sovereignty

Q: Do you support U.S. withdrawal from the United Nations?

A: Yes.

Q: Will you support legislation that forbids U.S. troops from serving under United Nations command?

A: Yes.

Q: Will you support the American Sovereignty Act to restrict the Executive's ability to forge international agreements that lessen our sovereignty?

A: Yes.

Q: Will you oppose the so-called "NAFTA Superhighway" and any move toward a North American Union?

A: Yes.

Click for Rand Paul on other issues. Source: Campaign for Liberty survey of 2010 Congressional candidates

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 15, 2008)
We export only 4,000 cars to Korea; that�s not free trade!

McCAIN: When Sen. Obama said he would unilaterally renegotiate NAFTA, the Canadians said, �Yes, and we�ll sell our oil to China.�

OBAMA: For far too long, certainly during the course of the Bush administration with the support of Sen. McCain, the attitude has been that any trade agreement is a good trade agreement. And NAFTA did not have enforceable labor agreements and environmental agreements.

And what I said was we should include those and make them enforceable. In the same way that we should enforce rules against China manipulating its currency to make our exports more expensive and their exports to us cheaper.

And when it comes to South Korea, we�ve got a trade agreement up right now, they are sending hundreds of thousands of South Korean cars into the US. That�s all good. We can only get 4,000 to 5,000 into South Korea. That is not free trade. We�ve got to have a president who is going to advocate on behalf of American businesses and American workers and I make no apology for that

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2008 third presidential debate against John McCain

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 25, 2008)
China trade deal does too little on fairness & compliance

For America to win, American workers have to win, too. That's why I opposed NAFTA, it's why I opposed CAFTA, and it's why I said any agreement I would support had to contain real, enforceable standards for workers.

That's why I believe the Permanent Normalized Trade agreement with China didn't do enough to ensure fairness and compliance.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: Obama`s Challenge, by Robert Kuttner, p.173

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 1, 2008)
NAFTA protects corporate profits; should protect labor

Here is an excerpt from the Obama speech:

"It's a Washington where George Bush hands out billions in tax cuts year after year to the biggest corporations and the wealthiest few who don't need them and don't ask for them.

"A Washington where decades of trade deals like NAFTA and China have been signed with plenty of protections for corporations and their profits, but none of our environment or our workers who've seen factories shut their doors and millions of jobs disappear, workers whose right to organize and unionize has been under assault for the last eight years.

"And it's a Washington that has thrown open its doors to lobbyists an special interests who've riddled our tax code with loopholes that let corporations avoid paying their taxes while you're paying more."

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: Obamanomics, by John R. Talbott, p. 30

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 1, 2008)
Assist workers who lose globalization's race to the bottom

Obama comments, "But the larger problem is what's missing from our prevailing policy on trade and globalization--namely, meaningful assistance for those who are not reaping its benefits and a plan to succeed in a twenty-first century economy. So far, almost all of our energy and almost all of these trade agreements are about making life easier for the winners of globalization, while we do nothing as life gets harder for American workers."

Obama adds, "But this is about more than displaced workers. Our failure to respond to globalization is causing a race to the bottom that means lower wages and stingier health and retiree benefits for all Americans. It's causing a squeeze on middle-class families who are working in this new economy. As one downstate (Illinois) worker told me during a recent visit, 'It doesn't do me much good if I'm saving a dollar on a T-shirt in Wal-Mart, but don't have a job.'"

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: Obamanomics, by John R. Talbott, p.117-118

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 1, 2008)
Peru trade OK because it includes labor & enviro protections

While Obama has been an advocate of free trade, he sees the need to make sure that it is fairly regulated. The original trade agreements written primarily by the law firms of big corporations were very careful to derive protections for international property, intellectual property rights, and the enforcement of contracts necessary to do business effectively. They were almost completely devoid of any regulation to protect the consumer, the environment, or the worker. Obama has supported trade agreements with countries like Peru that have been properly structured to include these provisions, but is insistent that trade agreements like NAFTA be renegotiated to include such provisions.

Obama understands that we cannot allow trade with countries like China if they are not going to respect the rights of workers and consumers.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: Obamanomics, by John R. Talbott, p.124

Mike Gravel on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 22, 2008)
No sanctions on China or Venezuela, but no trade agreements

Q: Do you support the United States imposing economic sanctions on China?

A: No.

Q: Do you support the United States imposing trade sanctions on Venezuela?

A: No.

Q: Do you support the United States involvement in free trade agreements?

A: No.

Q: Do you support the United States involvement in intergovernmental organizations dedicated to trade?

A: Yes.

Click for Mike Gravel on other issues. Source: Presidential Election 2008 Political Courage Test

Jesse Ventura on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 1, 2008)
NAFTA reservations: Mexican labor conditions & US job loss

Since the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994, hundreds of factories called maquiladoras have sprung up. There they make goods on the cheap and ship them back across the border.

President Clinton predicted this would be a boon to everyone. It certainly has been for the corporations, which have cut back their labor costs and increased their profits. Thousands of workers from Mexico's poorest southern states make the equivalent of little more than $4 a day. But it's better than having no job at all.

I'm a staunch capitalist, and I was a big supporter of NAFTA in the beginning. Today, I have a lot of reservations about what it's brought about. NAFTA has resulted in hundreds of thousands of job losses in the US, because employers moved south of the border. Half of the people working in these Mexican maquiladoras are women, and there is also child labor, and long hours, with no right to unionize. They're really nothing more than sweatshops, in a lot of cases.

Click for Jesse Ventura on other issues. Source: Don`t Start the Revolution, by Jesse Ventura, p. 99-100

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Homeland Security Mar 25, 2008)
Long-held pro-defense spending stance; not a move to center

As long as she has been in public life, Clinton has held many positions that are ordinarily associated with Republicans, supporting the death penalty, numerous free-trade agreements, and high defense spending, to name a few. She was also a strong and early supporter of the Iraq war (though she became a critic as the war dragged on). Yet these positions are not only not taken as evidence that she is in fact a centrist, they are used as evidence of insincere political calculation. She has often been characterized as MOVING to the center in preparation for a presidential run, even when her position on the issue in question has remained unchanged.

For Clinton, long-held positions, like a hawkish approach to military affairs, are taken as evidence of a shift. And the prevailing assumption is that when she breaks with some in her party (or even when she sticks with her party) it is for crass political purposes and not an outgrowth of genuine conviction.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: Free Ride, by David Brock and Paul Waldman, p.134-135

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 24, 2008)
AdWatch: Supported NAFTA in 1998; opposed CAFTA since 2005

Obama released a radio ad in S.C., in which the narrator says, �Hillary Clinton championed NAFTA even though it has cost South Carolina thousands of jobs. It�s what�s wrong with politics today. Hillary Clinton will say anything to get elected.�

The ad�s claim that Clinton �championed NAFTA� is misleading. It is true that Clinton once praised the North American Free Trade Agreement that her husband championed. As recently as 1998, she praised business leaders for mounting �a very effective business effort in the U.S. on behalf of NAFTA.�

But her position on trade shifted before her presidential run: In 2005, for example, she voted against the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and she told Time in 2007 that �I believe in the general principles [NAFTA] represented, but what we have learned is that we have to drive a tougher bargain.�

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: FactCheck's AdWatch on 2008 Clinton radio ad on Free Trade

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 21, 2008)
Enforce environmental & labor provisions in trade agreements

EDWARDS: [to Obama]: The problem with the Peru trade agreement [which Obama voted for] is you are leaving the enforcement of environmental and labor regulations in the hands of George Bush. I wouldn�t trust George Bush to enforce anything, certainly not trade obligations.

OBAMA: Well, in a year�s time, it�ll be me who�s enforcing them. We�re going to make sure that the right thing is being done. It is absolutely critical for us to understand that NAFTA was an enormous problem. The permanent trade relations with China, without some of the enforcement mechanisms that were in there, that you voted for, was also a significant problem. And we�ve got to all move forward as Democrats to make sure that we�ve got trade deals that work for working people and not just for corporate profits.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Democratic debate

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Corporations Dec 13, 2007)
We�ve yielded to corporate America on trade

Q: Given the WTO guidelines, could you actually restrict trade with China?

A: With the WTO guidelines, we could stop these [unsafe] products coming in now. This president doesn�t act. We have much more leverage on China than they have on us. The idea that a country with 800 million people in poverty has greater leverage over us is preposterous. We�ve yielded to corporate America. We�ve yielded to this president�s notion of what constitutes trade, and we�ve refused to enforce the laws that exist.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic debate

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Dec 13, 2007)
NAFTA needs to be amended

There�s no doubt that NAFTA needs to be amended. I�ve already said I would contact the president of Mexico and the prime minister of Canada to make sure that labor agreements are enforceable. But I did want to just go back briefly to the issue of trade and human rights that you had mentioned. We have to stand for human rights, and that should be part of the trade equation. Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic Debate

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Dec 13, 2007)
Built environmental and labor standards in trade agreements

Every new trade agreement should have built into it what we all talk about. Environmental standards and labor standards. But we talk about it in terms of preserving jobs here, but it�s also about human rights. Signing an agreement knowing they�re going to exploit workers either by polluting their lungs or their drinking water and/or putting them in a position where they�re getting paid a couple bucks a week. So it should be a condition to every trade agreement that we engage in. Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic Debate

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Nov 22, 2007)
Opposes fast-track to protect labor rights

Defend Workers in Trade Negotiations: Joe Biden believes that US trade negotiations must protect American workers by insisting on basic labor and environmental standards. That�s why he opposed CAFTA and fast track authority for President Bush. He will continue to fight for better labor and environmental standards in trade agreements and will oppose new trade agreements that don�t meet high standards. Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, www.joebiden.com, �Issues�

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Nov 11, 2007)
Criticized trade pacts for weak labor standards

Now courting labor and the environmentalist crowd, Hillary Clinton has come out against a trade pact with South Korea, but as senator, she has voted in support of free trade pacts with Oman, Chile and Singapore, even though she criticized them for what she said was their weak enforcement of international labor standards. In fact, she�s voted for every trade agreement that has come before her except CAFTA, the Central American version of NAFTA, the pact the public has heard the most about. Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: The Contenders, by Laura Flanders, p. 17

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 30, 2007)
FactCheck: for NAFTA while First Lady; now against CAFTA

Barack Obama accused Clinton of flip-flops on trade. Obama said, �Senator Clinton in her campaign has been for NAFTA previously, now she�s against it.�

Obama is partly right concerning the North American Free Trade Agreement. Clinton�s views on NAFTA have shifted, but they shifted prior to her official run for the White House. Back in 1998, in a keynote speech given at the Davos Economic Summit, Clinton praised business leaders for mounting �a very effective business effort in the US on behalf of NAFTA,� adding later that �it is certainly clear that we have not by any means finished the job that has begun.� But by 2005 she was expressing reservations about free trade agreements, voting that year against the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). And she told Bloomberg News in March 2007 that, while she still believes in free trade, she supports a freeze on new trade agreements--something she calls �a little time-out.�

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: FactCheck on 2007 Democratic debate at Drexel University

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 23, 2007)
Though Bill supported it, Hillary opposed NAFTA

Liberal Democrats, including Hillary, opposed NAFTA primarily because it could take jobs away from American workers. Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: For Love of Politics, by Sally Bedell smith, p.117

Mike Gravel on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 9, 2007)
CAFTA & NAFTA cause unemployment in Mexico & Central America

Our trade practices--CAFTA and NAFTA--they have caused more unemployment in Mexico and Central America than they have in this country. That is wrong. We need to change that approach. Can we? I question whether the Congress can. I think that the answer lies with the American people. If the people in this country had the ability to make laws, to vote for policies directly, then we would begin to see some national solutions to these particular problems. Click for Mike Gravel on other issues. Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate on Univision in Spanish

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 26, 2007)
Stand firm against CAFTA for labor & environmental standards

Fight for Fair Trade:

Obama will fight for a trade policy that opens up foreign markets to support good American jobs. He will use trade agreements to spread improved labor and environmental standards around the world and stand firm against agreements like the Central Amercan Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) that fail to live up to those important standards. Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2008 Presidential campaign website, BarackObama.com �Flyers�

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 19, 2007)
Export from big agribusiness, but also from small farmers

Q: How do you protect American jobs without setting up a situation where other countries discriminate against the things we�re trying to export, particularly agricultural exports?

A: We do export a lot of agricultural goods, many of that through trade agreements. And I think we�ve got to do three things.

We have to have more focus on family farms. We�ve got to do more to make sure trade agreements are not only good for the exporting of agricultural products from great, big agribusiness, but also for small farmers.
We�ve got to do more to build up the agricultural and rural areas of our country.

And trade needs to become a win-win. People ask me, am I a free trader or a fair trader? I want to be a smart, pro-American trader. And that means we look for ways to maximize the impact of what we�re trying to export and quit being taken advantage of by other countries. Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate on �This Week�

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 7, 2007)
President�s job is to create jobs, not to export jobs

Q: Would you scrap NAFTA or fix it?

A: A president�s job is to create jobs, not to export jobs, and the idea that we are not willing to take the prime minister of Canada and the president of Mexico to the mat to make this agreement work is just a lack of presidential leadership. I would lead, I would do that, I would change it.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: 2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 7, 2007)
Amend NAFTA to add labor agreements

Q: Would you scrap NAFTA or fix it?

A: I would immediately call the president of Mexico, the president of Canada to try to amend NAFTA because I think that we can get labor agreements in that agreement right now. And it should reflect the basic principle that our trade agreements should not just be good for Wall Street, it should also be good for Main Street.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 7, 2007)
Smart, pro-American trade: NAFTA has hurt workers

This past weekend, you expressed some disappointment that NAFTA, in your words, did not realize the benefits that it promised. How would you fix it?

A: Well, I had said that for many years, that NAFTA and the way it�s been implemented has hurt a lot of American workers. In fact, I did a study in New York looking at the impact of NAFTA on business people, workers and farmers who couldn�t get their products into Canada despite NAFTA. So, clearly we have to have a broad reform in how we approach trade. NAFTA�s a piece of it, but it�s not the only piece of it. I believe in smart trade. Pro-American trade. Trade that has labor and environmental standards, that�s not a race to the bottom but tries to lift up not only American workers but also workers around the world. It�s important that we enforce the agreements we have. That�s why I�ve called for a trade prosecutor, to make sure that we do enforce them. The Bush administration haven�t been enforcing the trade agreements at all.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: 2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 7, 2007)
No fast-track authority for this president

It�s important that we have good information to make judgments. And when I looked at some of the trade agreements that the Bush administration sent our way, I voted against CAFTA. I don�t want to give fast-track authority to this president. Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: 2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 12, 2007)
No trade agreements without workers� & environmental rights

Q: What would you do to address the issues of unfair trade and the related global issue of unfair labor practices?

A: Obviously, no trade agreements that do not include workers� rights and environmental rights. But getting right to it, it seems to me that we have an incredible opportunity here to reassert America�s dominance in the world economic system, and that is by significantly investing in a health care policy that takes the burden off of employers.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: 2007 NAACP Presidential Primary Forum

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Foreign Policy Jul 9, 2007)
More cautiously internationalist than Bill Clinton

Just how far apart are Mr. and Mrs. Clinton on the question of global economic integration? The gap is yawning. For the former president, three sweeping and historic trade agreements did much to cement his reputation as bone-deep internationalist: the passage of NAFTA, the ratification of the Uruguay Round of the GATT, and the extension of permanent normal trading status to China and its inclusion in the WTO.

But for the current senator, much of this apparently seems dubious, at least as a road map to the future. "We just can't keep doing what we did in the twentieth century," she said, adding that we may need "a little time-out" before the enactment of any further trade deals. Accordingly, in 2005, she voted against CAFTA, and she has even repeatedly spouted skepticism about the wisdom of NAFTA--while stopping short of blaming her husband for its deficiencies: "I believe in the general principles NAFTA represented, but what we have learned is that we have to drive a tougher bargain."

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: New York Magazine, "Marital Discord," by John Heilemann

Mike Gravel on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 28, 2007)
Trade agreements only benefit shareholders

Q: A lot of Americans are concerned with outsourcing of US jobs. What�s your solution?

GRAVEL: Outsourcing is not the problem. What is the problem is our trade agreements that benefit the management and, of course, the shareholders, and have neglected on either side of the issue, whether it�s in Mexico or in other countries or the United States. That�s the problem that must be addressed. So, no, it�s not outsourcing. But I would add to it, it�s the way all of these people want to finance health care, on the backs of businesses, that make them uncompetitive in the world. That�s part of the problem. And our system of taxation is also part of the problem because it makes us uncompetitive in the world.

DODD: I disagree. I think it�s a huge issue here. The fact of the matter is we�re exporting a lot of valuable jobs in this country and we shouldn�t be doing it.

BIDEN: The bottom line here is we�ve got to make it more attractive to have jobs here in America and for corporations to be here.

Click for Mike Gravel on other issues. Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 28, 2007)
End tax breaks for outsourcing jobs

Q [to Sen. Gravel]: A lot of Americans are concerned with outsourcing of US jobs. What�s your solution?

GRAVEL: Outsourcing is not the problem. What is the problem is our trade agreements that benefit the management & the shareholders.

CLINTON: Well, outsourcing is a problem, and it�s one that I�ve dealt with as a senator from New York. I started an organization called New Jobs for New York to try to stand against the tide of outsourcing, particularly from upstate New York and from rural areas. We have to do several things: end the tax breaks that still exist in the tax code for outsourcing jobs, have trade agreements with enforceable labor and environmental standards, help Americans compete, which is something we haven�t taken seriously. 65% of kids do not go on to college. What are we doing to help them get prepared for the jobs that we could keep here that wouldn�t be outsourced--and find a new source of jobs, clean energy, global warming, would create millions of new jobs for Americans.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University

Rahm Emanuel on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 8, 2007)
Pushed through the NAFTA treaty

Leaders of the labor movement, close allies of Nancy Pelosi, were opposed to Emanuel [as head of the DCCC] because of his role in pushing through the NAFTA treaty, which they despised. Click for Rahm Emanuel on other issues. Source: The Thumpin': Rahm Emanuel, by Naftali Bendavid, Chapter 1

Kirsten Gillibrand on NAFTA: (Free Trade Nov 7, 2006)
Protect American jobs from going overseas

Protect American jobs from going overseas
Supports indexing the minimum wage to inflation
Reject trade agreements that hurt our workers

Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues. Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, gillibrand2006.com, �Issues�

Howie Hawkins on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 1, 2006)
Repeal NAFTA & CAFTA

Q: What does Hawkins think of free tarde?

A: Promotes repeal of NAFTA, CAFTA.

Click for Howie Hawkins on other issues. Source: Email interview on 2006 Senate race with OnTheIssues.org

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 18, 2006)
I will fight for fair trade

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. Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, www.amyklobuchar.com, �Issues�

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade 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. Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, www.amyklobuchar.com, �Issues�

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 11, 2005)
Voted against CAFTA despite Bill Clinton�s pushing NAFTA

In June 2005, Hillary voted with the bulk of her party against the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). While the vote smacked of hypocrisy for many Democratic senators, it was particularly so for Ms. Clinton, whose husband had staked his administration�s prestige on pushing NAFTA through Congress. Hillary also voted against giving the president the authority to submit trade agreements for fast-track approval--Bill Clinton pleaded with Congress annually, & in vain, for just such authority Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: Condi vs. Hillary, by Dick Morris, p. 85

Jennifer Granholm on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 1, 2005)
Replace CAFTA outsourcing with "No Worker Left Behind"

In 2006, at UAW Local 699 in Saginaw. "We've seen our jobs leave on a fast track to Mexico, on a slow boat to China, and on the Internet to India!" I declared, fist pumping. The hall erupted in loud applause.

"NAFTA and CAFTA [Central America Free Trade Agreement] have given us the Shafta!" I shouted, and the crowd of workers roared in response, as if ready to tear the heads off of those who had made a profit by outsourcing jobs. I waited for them to settle down and for my own angry heart to slow.

"You've heard of 'No Child Left Behind'?" I asked. "Well, how about No WORKER Left Behind?!"

Click for Jennifer Granholm on other issues. Source: A Governor's Story, by Jennifer Granholm, p. 96-97

Jennifer Granholm on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 1, 2005)
NAFTA is about whether we're going to make things in America

When Electrolux threatened to leave Greenville and move to Mexico, we devised a blockbuster stack of incentives for the company, starting with waiving its taxes for the next 20 years. The UAW offered over $30 million in wage, benefit, and hiring concessions. The pile of incentives totaled more than $750 million over 20 years.

"It's a valiant effort," the spokesman said. "But we've got to cut costs, and we can pay $1.57 an hour in Juarez. There's nothing you can do to make up for that."

Greenville's Mayor proclaimed, "NAFTA is just killing the industrial strength of this country."

I said, "We are the fallout of these unenforced trade agreements. The average guy is left without a job, maybe without a pension, and as a final insult he trains his foreign replacement before he hands in his ID badge. And there's nothing we can do about it. Nothing. This isn't about tax policy. It's not about regulations. It's about whether we are going to make things in America."

Click for Jennifer Granholm on other issues. Source: A Governor's Story, by Jennifer Granholm, p. 48-51

Barack Obama on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 25, 2004)
Fair trade should have tangible benefits for US

[Obama believes in] ensuring fair trade by enforcing existing trade agreements. Obama believes any trade agreement must have real, tangible benefits for U.S. business and workers and will work to enforce the trade agreements on the books. Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Dec 2, 1999)
World views US trade officials as �saps�

Trump said that US trade officials are viewed as �saps� around the world and have allowed the country to be ripped off in trade agreements. He called NAFTA a disaster and said leaders of other countries �can�t believe how easy it is to deal with the US.� He continued, �We are known as a bunch of saps. We need our best people to negotiate against the Japanese and many other countries.� As president, he would get the nation�s top business leaders - not diplomats - to negotiate for the country. Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: Pat Eaton-Robb, Associated Press, on 2000 presidential race

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 17, 1997)
NAFTA, GATT, and MFN for China must be repealed

What about the hemorrhage of jobs abroad? Can we do anything about the disastrous effects of the global economy on American workers? According to the experts, no. But the experts echo the message their employers want us to hear.

We need to address the issue of trade forthrightly and understand that our current trade policy is an unmitigated disaster. Our current record-breaking merchandise trade deficit of $112 billion is costing us over 2 million decent paying jobs. NAFTA, GATT, and Most Favored Nation status with China must be repealed, and a new trade policy developed.

Let's look at some of the components of a sensible trade policy. First, we must recognize that trade is not an end in itself. The function of American trade policy must be to improve the standard of living of the American people. America's trade policy must be radically changed, by committing ourselves to a "fair" rather than "free" trade policy.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: Outsider in the House, by Bernie Sanders, p.237

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 17, 1997)
Agreed with Ross Perot's critique of trade policy

Although I agree with his critique of American trade policy and his opposition to NAFTA, I am no great fan of Ross Perot. There's no way he would be a major political leader if he weren't a billionaire. But I think that he is getting a bum rap from the media when they refer to his half-hour speeches as "infomericals" and make fun of his use of charts. Instead of putting 30-second attack ads on the air, he is trying to seriously discuss some of the most important issues facing the country. You may not agree with his analysis or his conclusions, but at least he's treating the American people with some respect. What's wrong with that? Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: Outsider in the House, by Bernie Sanders, p.168

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 17, 1997)
NAFTA was a sellout to corporate America

At the very same time as health care was on the congressional agenda. Clinton pushed another issue to the forefront. And on the major initiative, Clinton was just plain wrong--very wrong. His support for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was a sellout to corporate America. Pure and simple, it was a disaster for the working people of this country.

The US currently has a trade deficit of $114 billion. Economists tell us that $1 billion of investment equates to about 18,000 (often decent-paying) jobs. Connect the dots. Our current trade deficit is causing the loss of over 2 million jobs. Over the last 20 years, while the US has run up over a trillion dollars in trade deficits, millions of American workers have been thrown into the streets.

The function of trade agreements like NAFTA is to make it easier for American companies to move abroad, and to force our workers to compete against desperate people in the Third World.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: Outsider in the House, by Bernie Sanders, p.179-80

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Nov 1, 1996)
Supports NAFTA and GATT

Q: Do you support the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support broadening NAFTA to include other countries?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support lifting the trade embargo imposed against Cuba?

A: No.

Q: Do you support imposing tariffs on products imported from nations that maintain restrictive trade barriers on American products?

A: Yes.

Click for John Kasich on other issues. Source: Congressional 1996 National Political Awareness Test

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Topics in the News: NAFTA

Ron DeSantis on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 6, 2021) Expands program to engage new international markets

Vladimir Putin on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 21, 2021) More preferential agreements with largest trading partners

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 28, 2021) Buying American doesn't violate any trade agreement

Antony Blinken on NAFTA: (Free Trade Mar 3, 2021) Focus must be trade policies benefiting all Americans

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 28, 2021) Trumpism means great trade deals

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 7, 2020) Vote against USMCA was a vote against jobs

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Mar 8, 2020) Americans have to compete with people making pennies an hour

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Foreign Policy Feb 7, 2020) We must work with allies, isolationism does not work

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 7, 2020) Voted yes for USMCA due to trade improvements

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 7, 2020) USMCA makes things somewhat better for workers

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 7, 2020) Not one word in USMCA that deals with climate change

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2020) Fact-Check:USMCA mostly a cosmetic refreshing of NAFTA

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Jobs Feb 4, 2020) Unemployment at record low, including women & disabled

Vladimir Putin on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 15, 2020) Russia is courting India to sign a free trade agreement

Pete Buttigieg on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2020) I support USMCA, but focus on people over corporations

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2020) China trade deal will help farmers, then work to improve it

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2020) Need trade deal that includes stakeholders, not just CEOs

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Dec 19, 2019) Supports USMCA because it improves labor standards

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Dec 19, 2019) USMCA agreement does not prevent outsourcing or talk climate

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Energy & Oil Oct 10, 2019) Environmental standards in trade agreements

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 12, 2019) Either we make up trade policy, or China will

Kirsten Gillibrand on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 18, 2019) NAFTA 2.0 is a disaster; trade war harms producers

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 12, 2019) Dislikes multilateral trade deals, including NAFTA and TPP

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 31, 2019) Labor should be involved in renegotiating NAFTA/USMCA

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 30, 2019) NAFTA 2.0 is about Big Pharma extending exclusive profits

Eric Swalwell on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019) Demand changes to NAFTA; use tariffs to crack down

Marianne Williamson on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019) Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019) USMCA is worse than NAFTA

Jay Inslee on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019) Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019) Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Pete Buttigieg on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019) Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019) Demand changes to NAFTA; use tariffs to crack down

Kamala Harris on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019) Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019) Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Beto O`Rourke on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019) Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 14, 2019) Democrats should stand for workers not corporations

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 11, 2019) Push for agreements that don't hurt consumers or business

Joe Sestak on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 23, 2019) Re-join the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Howie Hawkins on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 28, 2019) Trade agreements must benefit workers, protect environment

Kamala Harris on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 12, 2019) Trade agreements should address climate change

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 11, 2019) Protect American workers but take part in global economy

Beto O`Rourke on NAFTA: (Free Trade Mar 14, 2019) Support NAFTA and TPP

Pete Buttigieg on NAFTA: (Jobs Feb 15, 2019) Unions good for US workers, but not NAFTA

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 6, 2019) FactCheck: NAFTA displaced 851,700; but net loss 15,000/year

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 6, 2019) FactCheck: NAFTA displaced 851,700; but net loss 15,000/year

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 5, 2019) USMCA delivers dreams shattered by catastrophe of NAFTA

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2019) Renegotiate NAFTA to protect workers & environment

Kirsten Gillibrand on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 16, 2019) Renegotiate NAFTA; add environmental protections

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 12, 2019) Renegotiate NAFTA

John Hickenlooper on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 2, 2018) Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Technology Sep 17, 2018) Let US companies work in China with proprietary technology

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 17, 2017) Put American firms first in federal contracts

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Budget & Economy Feb 28, 2017) Restart engine after worst financial recovery in 65 years

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 24, 2017) Trade deals should be one-on-one that US can terminate

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Nov 15, 2016) American jobs must no longer be our number one export

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 26, 2016) Support deals good for US economy & security; not CAFTA!

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 26, 2016) NAFTA was worst trade deal ever; TPP is a close second

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 16, 2016) Supports Trans-Pacific Partnership but not trade ideology

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 20, 2016) Support multilateral negotiations: no nation ruined by trade

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Foreign Policy Jul 19, 2016) Don't have paranoid delusions about one world government

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 14, 2016) Supports TPP and trade agreements with Pacific Rim and China

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 28, 2016) Identify every violation of trade agreements, and prosecute

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 7, 2016) NAFTA was a disaster; we will not repeat mistake with TPP

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2016) Don't believe that unfettered trade creates U.S. jobs

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2016) I disagree with Obama on TPP, but he's done a great job

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2016) I oppose CAFTA & TPP, but global economy needs trade

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2016) I support fair trade against dumping, to protect steel

Ron DeSantis on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 27, 2015) No to Ex-im bank; Yes to fast-track

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 25, 2015) I strongly opposed NAFTA and DOMA from their inception

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 18, 2015) Restrict free trade to keep jobs in US

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 11, 2015) Does not support ANY free trade agreements

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 7, 2015) Trans Pacific trade deal doesn't meet my standards

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 5, 2015) China trade has led to loss of 3M American jobs so far

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 24, 2015) Increase jobs by exporting, and enforcing against dumping

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 26, 2015) Open trade is good for us, but don't be saps

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 25, 2015) Trade, but not at all costs: clamp down on cheaters

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Immigration Jun 29, 2015) Since NAFTA, Mexican undocumented immigration up 185%

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 23, 2015) Key is fair, enforceable agreements that protect workers

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 14, 2015) Base trade policy on working families, not multinationals

Ron DeSantis on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 6, 2021)
Expands program to engage new international markets

Vladimir Putin on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 21, 2021)
More preferential agreements with largest trading partners

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 28, 2021)
Buying American doesn't violate any trade agreement

Antony Blinken on NAFTA: (Free Trade Mar 3, 2021)
Focus must be trade policies benefiting all Americans

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 28, 2021)
Trumpism means great trade deals

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 7, 2020)
Vote against USMCA was a vote against jobs

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Mar 8, 2020)
Americans have to compete with people making pennies an hour

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Foreign Policy Feb 7, 2020)
We must work with allies, isolationism does not work

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 7, 2020)
Voted yes for USMCA due to trade improvements

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 7, 2020)
USMCA makes things somewhat better for workers

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 7, 2020)
Not one word in USMCA that deals with climate change

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2020)
Fact-Check:USMCA mostly a cosmetic refreshing of NAFTA

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Jobs Feb 4, 2020)
Unemployment at record low, including women & disabled

Vladimir Putin on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 15, 2020)
Russia is courting India to sign a free trade agreement

Pete Buttigieg on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2020)
I support USMCA, but focus on people over corporations

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2020)
China trade deal will help farmers, then work to improve it

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2020)
Need trade deal that includes stakeholders, not just CEOs

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Dec 19, 2019)
Supports USMCA because it improves labor standards

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Dec 19, 2019)
USMCA agreement does not prevent outsourcing or talk climate

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Energy & Oil Oct 10, 2019)
Environmental standards in trade agreements

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 12, 2019)
Either we make up trade policy, or China will

Kirsten Gillibrand on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 18, 2019)
NAFTA 2.0 is a disaster; trade war harms producers

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 12, 2019)
Dislikes multilateral trade deals, including NAFTA and TPP

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 31, 2019)
Labor should be involved in renegotiating NAFTA/USMCA

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 30, 2019)
NAFTA 2.0 is about Big Pharma extending exclusive profits

Eric Swalwell on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to NAFTA; use tariffs to crack down

Marianne Williamson on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
USMCA is worse than NAFTA

Jay Inslee on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Pete Buttigieg on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to NAFTA; use tariffs to crack down

Kamala Harris on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Beto O`Rourke on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 17, 2019)
Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 14, 2019)
Democrats should stand for workers not corporations

Joe Biden on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 11, 2019)
Push for agreements that don't hurt consumers or business

Joe Sestak on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 23, 2019)
Re-join the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Howie Hawkins on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 28, 2019)
Trade agreements must benefit workers, protect environment

Kamala Harris on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 12, 2019)
Trade agreements should address climate change

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 11, 2019)
Protect American workers but take part in global economy

Beto O`Rourke on NAFTA: (Free Trade Mar 14, 2019)
Support NAFTA and TPP

Pete Buttigieg on NAFTA: (Jobs Feb 15, 2019)
Unions good for US workers, but not NAFTA

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 6, 2019)
FactCheck: NAFTA displaced 851,700; but net loss 15,000/year

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 6, 2019)
FactCheck: NAFTA displaced 851,700; but net loss 15,000/year

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 5, 2019)
USMCA delivers dreams shattered by catastrophe of NAFTA

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2019)
Renegotiate NAFTA to protect workers & environment

Kirsten Gillibrand on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 16, 2019)
Renegotiate NAFTA; add environmental protections

Julian Castro on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 12, 2019)
Renegotiate NAFTA

John Hickenlooper on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 2, 2018)
Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Technology Sep 17, 2018)
Let US companies work in China with proprietary technology

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 17, 2017)
Put American firms first in federal contracts

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Budget & Economy Feb 28, 2017)
Restart engine after worst financial recovery in 65 years

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 24, 2017)
Trade deals should be one-on-one that US can terminate

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Nov 15, 2016)
American jobs must no longer be our number one export

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 26, 2016)
Support deals good for US economy & security; not CAFTA!

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 26, 2016)
NAFTA was worst trade deal ever; TPP is a close second

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 16, 2016)
Supports Trans-Pacific Partnership but not trade ideology

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 20, 2016)
Support multilateral negotiations: no nation ruined by trade

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Foreign Policy Jul 19, 2016)
Don't have paranoid delusions about one world government

Mike Pence on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 14, 2016)
Supports TPP and trade agreements with Pacific Rim and China

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 28, 2016)
Identify every violation of trade agreements, and prosecute

Bill de Blasio on NAFTA: (Free Trade Apr 7, 2016)
NAFTA was a disaster; we will not repeat mistake with TPP

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2016)
Don't believe that unfettered trade creates U.S. jobs

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2016)
I disagree with Obama on TPP, but he's done a great job

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Feb 4, 2016)
I oppose CAFTA & TPP, but global economy needs trade

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jan 14, 2016)
I support fair trade against dumping, to protect steel

Ron DeSantis on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 27, 2015)
No to Ex-im bank; Yes to fast-track

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 25, 2015)
I strongly opposed NAFTA and DOMA from their inception

Donald Trump on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 18, 2015)
Restrict free trade to keep jobs in US

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 11, 2015)
Does not support ANY free trade agreements

Hillary Clinton on NAFTA: (Free Trade Oct 7, 2015)
Trans Pacific trade deal doesn't meet my standards

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Sep 5, 2015)
China trade has led to loss of 3M American jobs so far

Amy Klobuchar on NAFTA: (Free Trade Aug 24, 2015)
Increase jobs by exporting, and enforcing against dumping

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 26, 2015)
Open trade is good for us, but don't be saps

John Kasich on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jul 25, 2015)
Trade, but not at all costs: clamp down on cheaters

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Immigration Jun 29, 2015)
Since NAFTA, Mexican undocumented immigration up 185%

Elizabeth Warren on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 23, 2015)
Key is fair, enforceable agreements that protect workers

Bernie Sanders on NAFTA: (Free Trade Jun 14, 2015)
Base trade policy on working families, not multinationals

Joe Sestak on NAFTA: (Free Trade May 7, 2015)
Supports Ex-Im Bank & supports trade agreements in principle