Skeptics of U.S. trade policy are tired of being on the defensive, so they've proposed a forward-thinking piece of legislation called the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act that would make American trade deals more just and humane:
The legislation requires a review of existing trade pacts, including NAFTA and the World Trade Organization, and sets forth what must and must not be included in future trade agreements. It also provides for the renegotiation of existing trade agreements and describes the key elements of a new trade negotiating and approval mechanism to replace Fast Track. The replacement of Fast Track would strengthen Congress’ role in developing and modifying trade agreements
Democratic Rep. Phil Hare from the 17th District, a staunch labor supporter, called it "landmark legislation" and believes it could help revive the nation's manufacturing sector:
"We don’t want to be viewed as just obstructionist,” Hare said. “We can have a trade policy and trade deal that works for” both the U.S. and its trading partners.
It's unclear whether the bill has any shot at passing the current Congress. But its chances would surely increase if Barack Obama -- who has criticized NAFTA throughout the campaign and recently voted against a trade deal with Colombia -- is elected president in the fall. The same can't be said for his Republican nominee, who last month called Obama "a tool of organized labor" for opposing the deal with Colombia, a nation whose labor activists live in fear of death ever day.
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