Wyden Statement on NAFTA Summary of Objectives

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement on the NAFTA Summary of Objectives released by the U.S. Trade Representative’s office today:

“I’ve made clear for months what Americans need from a renegotiation of NAFTA - a complete overhaul that includes strong, enforceable rules on labor and the environment and much stronger protections against unfair trade, creates new market opportunities, and fundamentally supports more jobs and higher wages,” Wyden said.

“The summary released today of the President’s NAFTA objectives falls short in two respects.  First, it is hopelessly vague both in explaining how the Administration’s specific objectives will benefit the United States on key topics ranging from intellectual property rights and investment, to currency manipulation and government procurement.  Second, it suggests that in other areas, such as the environment, the Administration is planning to come to the table with watered down versions of TPP proposals.  It is surprising that in key areas the Trump Administration is seeking outcomes that were achieved in the TPP, which the President said was a bad agreement. Even on digital trade, which this administration has touted as a prime area for improvement, the summary lacks the level of ambition I would expect given the promises this president has made.”

“This negotiation is too important for the public to be kept in the dark or for the Administration to be starting out at the lowest common denominator on critical issues.  Before sitting down with Canada and Mexico, I expect the Administration to update this summary, shine some daylight on its negotiations, and set the bar high for American workers, businesses and farmers, as it promised it would.”

###

• Print
• Email
• Tweet