DeLauro Statement on Trump’s Executive Orders on Trade

WASHINGTON, DC (March 31, 2017) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today delivered the following statement regarding two new executive orders signed by President Trump on trade. The first executive order directs the Administration to release a report examining the causes of the U.S. trade deficits with China and other countries, and the second executive order directs the Administration to enforce penalties against countries that break the rules to gain an unfair advantage.

"Working and middle class Americans deserve real actions to level the playing field with fair trade. While initiating a new federal report is a common way to avoid fixing problems, the real test will be whether the Administration takes action to create jobs and reduce the trade deficit. Enforcing penalties against countries that cheat in international trade for their gain is a step forward, but improving our trade policy requires new rules, not more status quo. We must start pursuing a trade agenda that will create good paying jobs and raise wages here at home.

"President Trump made trade a central focus of his campaign and he repeatedly promised to fight for working men and women. However, despite his promises to bring back jobs to the U.S. and create more economic opportunity, we have yet to see any substantive plans for a fair trade policy. While President Trump pledged to label China a currency manipulator once in office, we are still waiting for action from the Administration and he has done nothing to address the $350 billion China trade deficit. President Trump also pledged to make NAFTA ‘a lot better,' but a leaked letter from the White House shows that he is working towards more of the same failed corporate-driven policies of the past.

"The NAFTA letter reveals an Administration uninterested in setting high labor standards that set a meaningful floor for wages and are fully enforceable. It also proposes more of the same investment rules that promote offshoring and enable corporations to attack our laws while demanding taxpayer compensation before a panel of corporate lawyers. The era of trade agreements that are drafted by and for corporate interests and give the American worker the short-end of the stick must end."

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