Sanders writes: "Over and over again, Trump told the American people that he would substantially reduce the trade deficit and stop corporations from shutting down factories in America and moving abroad. Well, shock of all shocks, he wasn't telling the truth."
Workers move a pipe at a desalination plant in California. (photo: Gregory Bull/AP)
12 April 19
ver and over again, Trump told the American people that he would substantially reduce the trade deficit and stop corporations from shutting down factories in America and moving abroad. Well, shock of all shocks, he wasn’t telling the truth.
Since Trump has been in office, his own Labor Department has certified that 185,000 U.S. jobs have been shipped overseas and the annual U.S. trade deficit has gone up by over $120 billion.
The trade deal that Trump re-negotiated with Mexico and Canada would do nothing to prevent corporations from shipping even more jobs to Mexico where workers are paid less than two bucks an hour. It includes outrageous giveaways to the fossil fuel industry that will make it easier for corporations to pollute the air we breathe and the water we drink. It also includes an even bigger giveaway to the pharmaceutical industry that would prevent Congress from lowering the outrageous prices Americans pay for prescription drugs, while increasing prices in Canada and Mexico.
So, I say to Donald Trump: For once in your life, keep your damn campaign promises. Go back to the drawing board on NAFTA. Do not send this treaty to Congress until it includes strong and swift enforcement mechanisms to raise the wages of workers and to prevent corporations from outsourcing American jobs to Mexico. And take out all of the riders in your treaty that increase prescription drug prices and benefit big oil companies. We need a trade policy in America that works for working families, not the CEOs of multi-national corporations.
