House Democrats Deliver NAFTA Priorities to Trump Administration

June 13, 2017
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC (June 13, 2017) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) this week led several House Democrats in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer, detailing priorities with respect to renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In the letter, Members requested direct collaboration with the Administration, a transparent and public renegotiation process, stripping special provisions that encourage companies to offshore jobs, fully enforceable labor and environmental standards, and other critical provisions.

"During the 2016 campaign, President Trump made numerous promises to stop NAFTA's ongoing damage to America's workforce, and to create jobs and increase wages among middle class and working families," wrote the Members. "Given the President's promises, it is critical to change both NAFTA's policies and the process by which NAFTA is renegotiated. Marginal adjustments around the edges of the Agreement will not suffice."

"Among our chief responsibilities as lawmakers is to ensure the American economy is inclusive and does not leave American families behind," continued the Members. "We invite you to work closely with Members of Congress throughout the negotiation process and to consult our offices often. We look forward to working with you to deliver an agreement that delivers results and opportunity for the American people."

Specifically, the Members are requesting:

  • An open and transparent negotiation process
  • Eliminating special industry privileges and incentives to offshore jobs
  • Ending the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism
  • Eliminating rules that require waiving ‘Buy American' and buy local procurement preferences
  • A clear path to close the U.S. trade deficits
  • New rules that benefit farmers and not agribusiness trading and processing firms
  • Imported products and foreign service providers meet U.S. safety standards
  • That renegotiations not be used to expand corporate monopolies on intellectual property for drugs
  • Strict, enforceable disciplines to fight against currency manipulation
  • High, fully enforceable, labor and environmental standards

DeLauro was joined by U.S. Representatives Peter A. DeFazio (OR-04), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Daniel Lipinski (IL-03), Richard M. Nolan (MN-08), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Tim Ryan (OH-13), Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), and Paul Tonko (NY-20) in sending the letter.

The full letter is available here.