Wisconsin Fair Trade Coalition

Report: The China trade toll

WASHINGTON (Economic Policy Institute) - A new report shows the US lost 2.3 million jobs due to the trade deficit with China since 2001, including 366,000 this year alone, and those workers lost an average of $8,164 in wages last year. Over 30% of the displaced were college grads.

Read the report here.

Poll: GOP voters skeptical of trade pacts

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - A majority of Republican voters view trade pacts as a negative for American workers, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll -- a position that might cause fits for GOP candidates in November's elections.

Read the full story by clicking here.

Welcome to the new Wisconsin Fair Trade Coalition website!

We encourage you to click through and learn more about our organization, get key information on how our international economy is organized, and take action to fight for fair trade policy and a stronger economy!

Check back often for recent fair trade news, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved.

We at the Wisconsin Fair Trade Coalition are looking to put a human face on the devastation that unregulated, unchecked free trade has wrought on the Midwest. If you or someone you know would be willing to share your story, please email info@wisconsinfairtrade.org.

Alderman Tony Zielinski talks about Fair Trade Milwaukee in an interview with onmilwaukee.com

Brown-Michaud TRADE Act introduced
Feingold, Baldwin, Kagen, Moore are cosponsors

The TRADE Act triggers a review of all existing trade agreements, and provides a process to renegotiate them. The bill also outlines principles of what should be included in future trade agreements, and expresses the sense of the Congress that their role in trade policymaking should be strengthened.

The current U.S. trade model has had devastating impacts. Since 1975, when Fast Track was first enacted, the trade deficit has gone from a slight surplus to an unsustainable $709 billion deficit in 2007. A net 4.7 million manufacturing jobs have been lost. American worker productivity doubled but median wages are only 1 percent above 1970s levels.

The TRADE Act articulates specific changes needed to the failed North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)/World Trade Organization (WTO) model to ensure trade deals achieve good jobs, safe food and the promotion of basic human rights, healthy communities and environmental protection.

"At long last, we can see an end to 14 years of disastrous trade deals. The TRADE Act would make sure that the benefits of trade go to workers as well as the richest few. It sets new rules for global trade that create good jobs and improve working conditions everywhere. The TRADE Act lays out the foundation of how a trade agreement should be negotiated, and what it can and cannot include. Finally, we can have fair trade that workers everywhere deserve."
-James Hoffa, Teamsters General President

"It’s time that our trade agreements look out for American businesses, workers, consumers, family farmers and the environment rather than multi-national corporate interests.”
-Russ Feingold
Read Sen. Feingold's full press release

Contact your Members of Congress and urge their support

Contact your Representative here
Contact your Senators here

URGENT ALERT – Say NO to the Colombia “Free” Trade Agreement

In an unprecedented move, President Bush sent the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement up to Capitol Hill this week, against the strong objections of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other congressional leadership. This is the first time a President has sent a trade agreement under Fast Track in complete defiance of the top leaders of Congress. Under Fast Track trade authority rules, the House will likely face an up-or-down vote on the Colombia deal before the end of August, and perhaps as soon as this month.

We've seen the results that past "free" trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA have had on our country — jobs lost, communities devastated, families ruined and left without a chance to achieve the American dream. This is yet another example of a job-killing trade deal that will have damaging consequences at home and abroad.

Contact your representatives today, and ask them to oppose the Colombia FTA. Be sure to leave your home address and to ask for a response. Here’s how to contact your Member of Congress:

By phone. A handful of calls from your district can make the difference. Let them know you are watching. Call (202) 224-3121 and ask the capitol switchboard operator to connect you to your member’s office. There’s a sample script below. You can call three times – to reach your Representative, and both Senators Kohl and Feingold.

By email. Both the AFL-CIO and Change to WIN have launched email campaigns opposing the Colombia FTA. To participate, click on the links, enter your address, and send an email directly to your congressperson.

You can also download a poster by clicking here, and put it on a bulletin board at work, school, or a public place. Link your blog or website to this to get more information out.

Need more information? You can find background on the Colombia FTA at talking union posts here and here.

The Wisconsin Fair Trade Coalition is a 501(c)4 organization and has not made any endorsement in this election. The information provided here is for information only.