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Coleman, Klobuchar split on trade vote; more deals pending
10 December 2007
| MINNEAPOLIS - Democrat Amy Klobuchar was among a handful of U.S. senators who opposed the Peru Free Trade Agreement, while Republican Norm Coleman continued a string of poor votes by supporting the measure, the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition said. |
The coalition, a statewide organization of environmental, labor, consumer, family farm, religious, and other civil society groups, is bracing for more critical trade votes in Congress.
The Peru Free Trade Agreement passed the Senate Dec. 4 on a vote of 77-18, after previously being approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The coalition said Klobuchar "stood true to her agenda to support fair trade, by standing with family farmers, working people and consumers across the nation" and expressed disappointment in Coleman " who yet again cast another vote to support the Bush NAFTA trade agenda that harms Minnesota workers, small farmers and creates incentives for businesses to move overseas for cheaper labor."
The Peru FTA is considered the least controversial in a set of pending trade agreements waiting for Congressional consideration, Coalition Coordinator Alicia Ranney said. A trade deal with Colombia could potentially be next, despite strong opposition across the board from all labor, environmental, family farm and social justice groups. Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world for union leaders, and carries the record for highest rate of union leader assassinations, threats and disappearances.
Among many drawbacks, these trade deals pit farmer against farmer in a race to the bottom for the cheapest products, could allow state and local laws to be challenged by foreign companies and fail to provide adequate food and product safety measures.
Much to the chagrin of fair trade advocates, the Peru trade agreement was backed by Democratic leadership and received the support of some veteran lawmakers such as Minnesota's Betty McCollum.
"We are pleased in Minnesota that our freshman representatives and senator are committed to uphold the interests of our working families and the environment," said Ranney. "Our coalition looks forward to working with them to create a new model for trade for the future."
For more information
Contact the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalitio at 612-578-8266 or visit the website, www.citizenstrade.org
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