Kildee Opposes Peru Free Trade Agreement,

Washington, D.C. – Despite opposition from a majority of the Democratic caucus, the House of Representatives today passed a bill to implement the United States – Peru free trade agreement.  Representative Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) strongly and vocally opposed the free trade pact over concerns that it would not be enforced, would encourage companies to move more American jobs overseas, and would hurt Michigan’s working families.

“This agreement that the President has drafted with Peru does nothing to protect American jobs and industry.  The only accomplishment made here today is the expansion of the failed NAFTA-CAFTA trade policy that has exported more than a million manufacturing jobs in 5 years,” said Kildee.  “When Delphi closed in Flint, workers were ordered to pack up some of their manufacturing machinery in crates bound for Matamoros, Mexico, literally exporting their own jobs.”

Trade agreements are dependent on enforcement from the Administration.  The agreement would require the executive branch of a signatory nation to file an official complaint when terms of the agreement have been violated, but recent Presidents have rarely pursued such enforcement. 

“Unfortunately, none of the six Presidents with whom I’ve served -- especially President Bush -- have shown any eagerness to file complaints when agreements were violated,” said Kildee.  “I have no faith in this President’s intentions to enforce the few protections for American industry contained in this pact.”

In response to today’s passage, Kildee joined like-minded colleagues in the House as an original cosponsor of a bill that directs the President to immediately withdraw from the United States – Peru Trade Promotion Agreement.   

The House Trade Working Group supports a new direction in trade policy and the development of a new trade model that will improve the lives of American working families and those of our trade partners.  “Congress should not hand President Bush another trade agreement when the past trade agreements have exported jobs, and not goods and services,” said Kildee, a Member of the House coalition. 

The Constitution grants to Congress a role in our nation’s trade policy.  Until its expiration this June, President Bush utilized a privileged trade negotiation tool -- Fast Track -- which allowed the Administration to negotiate foreign trade pacts.  Trade agreements negotiated under Fast Track must be considered by Congress within a restricted timeframe and are not amendable.  Rep. Kildee introduced a resolution in July that would express a sense of this Congress that Fast Track trade negotiating authority will not be renewed.  Kildee’s initiative has gathered bipartisan support from 33 colleagues who have signed on to the resolution.