Policy Resolution LWD-17-34

WHEREAS, there is much concern and criticism that the United States trade deals for the past 25 years have been corporate-driven, incorporating rules that “skew benefits to economic elites” while requiring working families to bear the brunt of such policies;

WHEREAS, the growing trade deficit, driven by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), China’s accession to the World Trade Organization, and the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement have displaced 700,000 jobs and 3.2 million jobs and 75,000 jobs respectively;

WHEREAS, U.S. employment in manufacturing dropped by five million from the year 2000 to the year 2015;

WHEREAS, jobs lost due to trade devastate families and entire communities and can permanently reduce lifetime earnings for hundreds of thousands of workers;

WHEREAS, currency manipulation occurs when a country artificially depresses the value of its currency; and

WHEREAS, currency manipulation is key driving force behind the rising U.S. trade deficit.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) encourages and supports trade legislation and agreements that protect and promote traditional state and local prerogatives and authority under our federal system;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL encourages and supports trade legislation and agreements that ensures that states and localities will not be required to comply with certain commitments, including any restrictions on preference for local, state or U.S. goods or services without the prior informed consent of the local governments;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL encourages and supports trade legislation and agreements that ensure balanced trade and address the excessive, job killing U.S. trade deficit;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL encourages and supports trade legislation and agreement that include enforceable rules against currency manipulation, which countries have previously used to their advantage;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL encourages and supports trade legislation and agreements that countries cannot undercut U.S. based producers with weaker labor and environmental laws and enforcement;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL encourages and supports legislation and agreements that ensure that the U.S. will engage in strong enforcement of trade rules, including labor and environment rules;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL encourages and supports legislation that prevents substantial job loss in the U.S. and protects worker interests;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL encourages and supports trade legislation and agreements that include strong rule of origin to promote economic growth and job creation in the U.S.;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL encourages and supports legislation and agreements that promote high standards of protection for workplaces, products and natural resources rather than promoting a “race to the bottom;”

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL encourages and supports trade legislation and agreements that ensure the interests of the people and the environment are taken into consideration and given priority over the interests of private profit; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States; the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate; and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Senator Ron Rice (NJ)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Co-Chair: Senator Ron Rice (NJ)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 3, 2016
• Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President