[CTC] CD34 Congressional Candidates Both Support Replacing NAFTA

[Arthur Stamoulis]

Great work by the California Trade Justice Coalition locking down the candidates on these issues...


For Immediate Release
Contact: Will Wiltschko, 831-917-7997 <tel:%28831%29%20917-7997>

CD34 Congressional Candidates Both Support Replacing NAFTA
Jimmy Gomez and Robert Lee Ahn respond to questions from the California Trade Justice Coalition

Los Angeles, Calif. — Both candidates in the June 6th runoff election in the 34th Congressional District are critical of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)’s impact on working families and the environment, according to new candidate questionnaires published today by the California Trade Justice Coalition.  

Democrats Jimmy Gomez and Robert Lee Ahn each support replacing NAFTA with an agreement that, among other things, removes NAFTA's ban on Buy American/Buy Local public procurement rules and only permits commercial benefits to go into effect if countries first enact and enforce strong labor, wage and environmental standards.

“Californians will not accept trade agreements that enrich corporate elites at the expense of good-paying jobs and the environment,” said Will Wiltschko, Lead Organizer of the California Trade Justice Coalition.  “It’s important to hear candidates’ ideas on their vision of trade deals that better serve working people and their families. We appreciate Mr. Gomez and Mr. Ahn taking the time to share their views with our members."


According to their questionnaire responses, if elected both Gomez and Ahn:

Would oppose future trade agreements if they go into effect before participating countries adopt, maintain, implement and enforce labor rights in the International Labor Organization’s Core Conventions and multilateral environmental agreements including the Paris climate agreement;
Would oppose future trade agreements if they fail to explicitly allow the United States, California and municipalities to maintain strong Buy American, Buy Local and Buy Green government procurement preferences;
Would oppose future trade agreements if they include “Investor-State Dispute Settlement” (ISDS), a mechanism for allowing transnational corporations to challenge U.S. laws, regulations and court decisions in private tribunals that circumvent the U.S. judicial system;
Would oppose future trade agreements that allow entry of imported food, toys and other products that do not meet U.S. safety standards;
Would oppose future trade agreements if they extend drug firms’ monopoly rights — by effectively lengthening patent terms, data exclusivity terms or the scope of patentability — thereby delaying and constricting access to affordable, generic medications; and
Would oppose attempts to re-establish “Fast Track” trade promotion authority when it expires.

"NAFTA has resulted in a flood of manufacturing jobs to Mexico without the promised raising of living standards and environmental regulations. Further, NAFTA has allowed foreign companies to extort funds and undermine legitimate environmental regulations and labor standards in the U.S. through private courts,” wrote Gomez in his questionnaire response.

"I have been critical of NAFTA given its shortfalls in its protections for workers and the environment. It is vital that we ensure that labor and environmental standards are enforced. For example, NAFTA has squeezed out many local farmers in the United States and Mexico,” wrote Ahn in his questionnaire response.

While similar in many of their responses, Gomez supported withdrawing from negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) and the U.S.-China Bilateral Investment Treaty, while Ahn did not. They also differed on the need for a broad carve-out protecting domestic environmental, health, labor, consumer and other public interest policies in trade agreements.  

Each candidates’ complete questionnaire responses can be read online at: http://catradejustice.org/ca34/ <http://catradejustice.org/ca34/>

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