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Free Trade Standards

Congressional Democrats are blocking approval of a handful of free trade pacts negotiated by the Bush Administration. NBR Washington Correspondent Stephanie Dhue says the Democrats want certain issues -- like labor standards -- addressed in the agreements.



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• 04-20-07: President Bush & President Hu Talk Trade... But Little Else
• 02-23-07: Thailand is Reving Up American Made Car Sales
• 01-08-07: Who Really Pays When It Comes to Free Trade?
• 01-08-07: The Free Trade Fast Track Could Hit a Roadblock
• 12-11-06: Treasury Secretary Paulson Heads to China to Help Balance Trade Troubles

External Links/Articles*

• AFL-CIO
  The AFL-CIO is a federation of national and international labor unions. The organization's Chief International Economist, Thea Lee, is interviewed in Stephanie Dhue's report. This links to a March 16, 2007 press release issued by the AFL-CIO titled, "AFL-CIO Opposes U.S.-Colombia Trade Agreement, As Violations of Labor and Human Rights Continue Unabated."
• "A New Trade Policy for America" (PDF Document)
  This document is a summary of the new Democratic trade policy. The policy was unveiled on March 27, 2007 by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI). The document was prepared by the House Ways and Means Committee staff.
• Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
  The USTR "is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries." As Stephanie Dhue reports, the office is currently negotiating with Democratic lawmakers, who want to change the standards for free trade agreements that the U.S. signs.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a federation representing more than 3 million businesses. The chamber's Senior Director of International Policy, Christopher Wenk, is interviewed in Stepahnie Dhue's report. This links to a list of the organization's "International Trade and Investment" priorities.
• USINFO
  USINFO is a website maintained by the U.S. Department of State. This links to a current issue analysis published in January 2007 titled, "Energy, Trade Likely 2007 Priorities for the House of Representatives." Among other things, it includes a discussion of the major players in the House Ways and Means Committee.
• The White House
  This links to an October 2006 press release issued by The White House that mentions the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA). The release is titled, "Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Peru."

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