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2004 Convention Resolutions

Resolution No. 5

FAIR TRADE

           

WHEREAS, The International Trade Deficit of the United States with other countries like China, Japan, Canada, Mexico and the European Union has widened substantially within the last five years; and

The gap with China alone has widened by $36 billion during this period; and

The size of the United States’ International Trade Deficit can be attributed to the relative inexpensive cost of goods and services produced in foreign countries when compared with goods and services produced in the United States; and

This relatively inexpensive cost of foreign goods and services can be tied to cheaper Labor costs, cheaper raw materials and limited or no governmental regulation of business and industry in these foreign countries; and

This inequality in the international economic playing field between American and foreign products has led to the loss of millions of jobs in the United States within the last five years; and

This loss of jobs has never been more apparent than in the Western Pennsylvania region which was once a much heralded manufacturing and commerce center; and

It has been the goal of the federal government over the last decade to promote “free trade” between nations within the Western Hemisphere and around the world; and

“Free Trade” has resulted in the loss of complete industries; electronics, garments, textiles, steel and automobiles in the United States to other countries which can produce these goods with cheaper Labor costs, cheaper raw materials and limited or no governmental regulation of business and industry; and

Until something is done to ameliorate this condition to level the international economic playing field, including tariffs, the International Trade Deficit of the United States with other countries like China, Japan, Canada, Mexico and the European Union will continue to expand and worsen; and

This situation will cause further severe economic conditions for the United States, and it’s individual states, cities, towns and villages.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO urge the General Assembly to call upon the federal government to take appropriate action to modify it’s “Free Trade” policy, including tariffs, to restore equity and fairness to the international economic playing field; and

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO call upon the Legislature to request that the federal government take the necessary economic actions to reduce it’s International Trade Deficit with it’s trading partners who continually seek to undercut American goods and service.

Submitted by:

                        USWA LOCAL 1688

                        PENNSYLVANIA AFL-CIO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Referred to:               Legislation Committee

Committee Action:           

Convention Action:           

 

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