News & Analysis
President Trump’s Tariffs Are Not Really the Point
Originally posted in The Stand China isn’t “cheating” on trade. They are playing a different game: advancing the interests of their nation, rather than global corporations. America’s new trade policies should advance the interests of our people. By STAN SORSCHER...
read moreHere We Go Again: Why the Trans-Pacific Partnership Won’t Fix Anything
Article by David Korten Originally posted in YES! Magazine on April 13th, 2018. Current trade agreements are great at creating more billionaires, not so much at protecting the interests of workers. On Thursday, President Trump flipped his position on the Trans-Pacific...
read moreWells Fargo Rally at Westlake Park in Seattle
Join us in solidarity with the Communications Workers of America in protesting Wells Fargo's continued outsourcing of U.S. jobs and poor treatment of workers at home and abroad. We'll be at Westlake Park in Seattle from 11:00am-1:00pm. For more information, check out...
read moreEnforcing trade rules is not a ‘trade war’
Industrial policies that advance national interests are nothing new. Other nations do it, and so should we. By STAN SORSCHER (March 9, 2018) — The recent tariffs on steel and aluminum have been characterized as trade war. This is weird, because countries often enforce...
read moreJoin us in demanding a better NAFTA: Organizational Sign On Letter
Trade agreements like NAFTA set rules for the global economy, with significant impacts on jobs and wages, the environment, human rights, food safety, access to medicine, and more. Right now, corporate lobby groups have united in a major campaign pushing for the NAFTA...
read moreWTO out of Agriculture! Solidarity Action with La Via Campesina
Friends, in solidarity with La Via Campesina organizing around the WTO meetings in Argentina this month, we'll be doing an action at the Ballard farmers market. Information below. More information about the event here. RSVP to hillary@washingtonfairtrade.org. Seattle...
read moreNAFTA Comments from Rep. Adam Smith and Rep. Pramila Jayapal
This year, for our annual breakfast, both Representative Adam Smith and Representative Pramila Jayapal gave us video clips commenting on the NAFTA renegotiations. "The question is not are we for or against trade. The question is how do we structure trade deals that...
read moreNegotiators give up hope of rewriting NAFTA this year
Originally posted in The Seattle Times here By PAUL WISEMAN, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Talks to rewrite the North American Free Trade Agreement have stalled over tough American demands, dashing hopes that a deal can be reached this year. A fourth round of...
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Annual Fair Trade Breakfast: Get your tickets today!
How Has NAFTA Affected Workers and Immigrants?
How Can We Make NAFTA 2.0 Work for all of Us?
Wednesday, November 15, 2017, Seattle
Doors open at 7:30 – Program from 8 to 9:00 AM
Buy your tickets here!
read moreWe’re hiring!
Job posting: Director and Trade Justice Organizer
The Washington Fair Trade Coalition is seeking a talented organizer to direct the coalition’s work on behalf of people and the planet to achieve a fair global trading system.
The Director will be at the center of our campaign to influence NAFTA renegotiation, educating and mobilizing our coalition members and allied groups in these policy debates, securing support from elected officials, and building long-term vision and momentum for fair trade policies that put people and the planet above profits.
Apply today!
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-POSTPONED- Public Hearing: A New NAFTA
–THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED and will NOT be happening September 19. Stay connected for more ways to get involved —
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Shine a light on NAFTA Renegotiation!
At this very moment, the public is being shut out of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations. Meanwhile, hundreds of corporate lobbyists have been given special “cleared advisor” status that gives them privileged access to proposed texts and to the negotiators themselves.
It’s not too late to introduce accountability to the NAFTA renegotiation process. But we have to work together to get Congress to act.
TAKE ACTION!
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A New NAFTA, or TPP 2.0?
By Gillian Locascio, Washington Fair Trade Coalition, originally printed in ILWU Local 23 monthly newspaper "Passing the Torch" in August 2017 *** NAFTA renegotiations are barreling ahead at full speed. In mid-July, the Trump administration released the much-awaited...
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Submit YOUR comments to USTR today!
The U.S. Trade Representative is currently accepting public comments on how it should renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
TAKE ACTION: Use this form to submit your comments today! (Deadline Monday, June 12)
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NAFTA Renegotiation Timeline
On May 19, the Trump Administration formally gave notice to U.S. Congress that they will be renegotiating NAFTA.
Check out this helpful timeline on NAFTA renegotiations to see what happens now:
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Trump softens stance on NAFTA
President Donald Trump announced this week that he will not immediately terminate U.S. participation in the North American Free Trade Agreement, the White House said, after he spoke with the leaders of Mexico and Canada about ways to re-negotiate the accord. Trump on...
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This Weekend: Marching Towards Justice
This weekend marks 100 days into the Trump administration. One thing is clear: our vision of a fair trade policy — based on global cooperation, protecting workers, the environment, and public health, limiting corporate power– is not a priority for the current administration.
Check out these great opportunities to march together, learn together, and act together from Earth Day to May Day:
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Voluntary Dolphin-safe Tuna Labels Struck Down by WTO
This week, the WTO authorized Mexico to impose an annual $163 million in trade sanctions against the U.S. for the dolphin-saving U.S. labeling program for tuna. The WTO ruled against the program in November 2015, calling it a "technical barrier to trade." If their...
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Standing in Solidarity with Striking Immigrants
Over the last three weeks, nearly 1000 immigrants have gone on hunger strike at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma protesting inhumane conditions. Last week, Washington Fair Trade Coalition responded to a call for support and held a solidarity day at the...
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Senator Cantwell Challenges Trump Nominee to Rethink Our Approach to Trade
Seattle, Wash. — The Washington Fair Trade Coalition (WFTC) today praised Senator Maria Cantwell for challenging Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to promote a more just and sustainable global economy. “Voters in Washington and beyond are...
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