I have one and only one measuring stick for a trade deal: Does it create good-paying jobs and raise living standards for American workers, or not?
Right now, the United States is considering a major trade deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP. While this is being negotiated, Congress is also considering so-called “fast track” authority to move the trade deal quickly through the legislative process. I have some concerns.
The American people deserve an opportunity to review the deal and make their voices heard. So far, that hasn’t happened.
Second, we’re negotiating the rules of trade for the next century, but ignoring one of the single biggest factors pushing good American jobs overseas: countries like China manipulating the value of their currencies.
That currency manipulation artificially makes their goods and services cheaper and Americans' more expensive. In Oregon, we have a word for that - cheating. We shouldn't agree to trade deals that don't end it.
Third, the TPP and future trade deals need to let American businesses and workers compete on a level playing field. They need to ensure strong labor and environmental standards abroad, and promise tough enforcement to make those standards real.
Lastly, we shouldn't set up special tribunals for foreign companies to challenge laws that protect Americans' health, safety, financial well-being and environment. Yet the TPP includes "investor-state dispute" provisions that have been used in other agreements to sue for bans on fracking in Canada and anti-smoking regulations in Australia.
We’ve seen time and again how trade deals pitched as boons to the economy actually made American workers worse off. They've increased America’s trade deficit, sending more and more American jobs overseas. Those jobs are often replaced with low-wage service jobs, driving wages down across the economy.
Trade can't benefit America if it hurts most Americans. We need to get the rules right, and make the best interests of America's middle class overall the measuring stick. I know lots of people on both sides of the trade debate share that goal, but in my opinion we're not there yet and I'll keep fighting for American workers.
This issue is far from settled. Keep watching.
Jeff