PES Manifesto

Yourspace goes to the States: free trade seen through American eyes

Published Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 17:18
by Editor (839 views and 0 comments)

Some European social democrats are shocked at US Democrats apparent hostility to free trade. Europeans fear US Democrats are becoming protectionist. But American workers blame NAFTA - the North American Free Trade Agreement – for the factory closures and job losses that have devastated US communities. And don’t forget many Americans lose healthcare when they lose their job! Americans point to the number of companies that have moved manufacturing to Mexico and other NAFTA countries with lower wages, lower safety standards and fewer workers rights.

US Democrats talk instead of wanting ‘fair trade’ with basic labour standards and trade union rights as part of future trade agreements. This is in tune with PES ambitions to put ‘decent work’ on the agenda of the World Trade Organisation. It might take some serious talking to reach a good way forward but it could offer an opportunity to link free trade with better living and working conditions for all.

Tags: decent work, fair trade, trade, US elections, USA