President Obama Weekly Address: Fighting for Trade Deals that Put American Workers First

[sabrina 1]

53. I'm not sure what you are asking 'without the trade deal'. Do you want us to assume

that there is no trade deal and to start from there, or to ignore it even if it passes?

If it passes, there is nothing we can do other than accept whatever is in it, because thousands of Global Corporations will be here in this country suing us over our laws, in Corporate Tribunals, and we will be spending most of our time to defend the laws we already have.

But if you mean 'as if it never happened', then I would suggest that Congress prepare a list of what issues are the most important to consider, when entering into any Trade deals.

1) Labor, increase production in the US, bring back manufacturing

2) Wages, do not even consider forcing the American worker to compete with workers where the wages are .60c an hour or less.

3) No Corporation, foreign or domestic, will have the right to sue this country or any other, because of its laws (glad we got a peek at this agreement otherwise who would even have imagined such a thing?) Our laws are not strong enough as it is.

Additionally make sure Corporations understand they will be sued, fined, kicked out of the country and even jailed IF they violate any of our laws.

4) Use Trade Agreements to raise standards in poorer countries, encourage them to implement environmental laws and internet freedom laws etc.

5) Close the gap created by NAFTA regarding our Trade Deficit.

6) The murder of labor Union Protesters in any country will result in prosecutions and convictions of those responsible. See Colombia eg, where we were partners with the murdering administration there. THAT should be the last time we partner or trade with such a regime.

That is an outline of a few goals I can think of off the top of my head.

Once we have our goals set, all of which should be aimed at protecting this country's laws, labor, advantages we get from Fair Trade etc, then we can start to think about how to implement fair trading policies with other nations.

I can't imagine entering into ANY agreement where the best interests of the country making deals are not clearly laid out and used as a standard for every 'offer' made.

From what we've learned so far, it appears our Trade Agreements are dictated by Corporations and their needs. Maybe that should also be added to the list. Corporations do not write, determine or otherwise influence our laws. Corporations will be treated fairly, but they will not make laws for this or any other country entering into the agreement.