AFL-CIO Legislative Meeting Explodes over Obama’s NAFTA-Style Korea Free Trade Deal

[allmylove]

.....The unanimous disapproval from all the other unions was summed up in a 10 minute invective by Matt McKinnon, the Political Director of the Machinists, who said:

...* UAW President Bob King threw every other union under the bus, and did not even bother to call his fellow AFL-CIO union presidents who are most affected and involved in the trade debate before announcing to the world their shameful, betraying position (no doubt why Leo Gerard took a jab at King over the weekend).
* It takes a fat load of nerve for the UAW to be asking others to abandon their long time positions just because the UAW went “yellow belly flip flop”
* The UAW got nothing it wanted, and the auto provisions they got in exchange for their support are “worth a bucket of warm spit”
* The deal will be the demise of not only UAW, but the 35% “rule of origin” provisions will be the China duty-free death knell for all US manufacturing – unless the other unions do the work to kill it. Such provisions require that only 35% of products coming into the US duty free be of Korean origin — the rest can come from parts made in China.
* The deal replicates everything in NAFTA that they have all opposed forever
* It’s vicious slap in the face by the White House – they do NOTHING to help labor, and then they do THIS?
* It’s a suicide mission for the 2012 election

There was not one AFL-CIO union at the meeting who did not vigorously oppose the deal. But they have all remained silent so far, giving the White House three free days to whip support for the bill as if the UAW position represents them all....

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/12/06/afl-cio-legislative-meeting-explodes-over-obamas-nafta-style-korea-free-trade-deal/

Why?

[ProSense]

1. Why?

Because Jane Hamsher said so. She's also promoting Sherrod Brown's statement as opposition to the deal, and it's no such thing. As Senator Brown stated:

“I appreciate the work Ambassador Kirk and his negotiators have put into achieving a more level playing field for American autoworkers and manufacturers in the U.S. – Korea agreement. I’m encouraged that the Administration insisted on meaningful changes for automakers. When this deal is final, it will also need to be examined alongside the European Union-Korea trade agreement which achieved limitations on duty drawback provisions, allowing the Korean government to refund the tariffs its automakers pay on imported parts, including those from China. The EU-Korea deal also does not include the harmful investor-state provisions which I have worked for years to reform in our trade agreements.

“President Obama is trying to modernize U.S. trade policy and make the process more transparent and inclusive. Looking ahead, I will continue to work with the Administration on new agreements, especially the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as we try to rebuild a consensus on trade policy.”

[allmylove]

2. You seem to have "mistakenly" left out the beginning of his statement

Why would you do that?

“I continue to believe it is a dangerous mistake to pursue the same kind of trade deals that ballooned our deficit and led to massive job loss. We simply cannot keep barking up this tree as American companies fold and American workers face prolonged unemployment. Until we address China’s manipulation and make decisions to reduce our trade deficit, I see no reason to pursue more NAFTA-style free trade agreements....

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/12/04/sherrod-brown-obamas-nafta-style-korea-trade-deal-a-dangerous-mistake/

[ProSense]

3. It's at the link, and it is not about the current trade deal

Seriously, anyone willing to use his/her head can see that's a statement reaffirming his position.

The rest of the statement does not, as Hamsher implies, indicate that Senator Brown believes the deal to be a "dangerous mistake."

[allmylove]

4. Sen. Brown Statement on Advancement of U.S. - Korea Trade Deal

Sen. Brown Statement on Advancement of U.S. - Korea Trade Deal

December 3, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement upon news that the U.S. and South Korean negotiators have reached an agreement on a bilateral free trade agreement:

“I continue to believe it is a dangerous mistake to pursue the same kind of trade deals that ballooned our deficit and led to massive job loss. We simply cannot keep barking up this tree as American companies fold and American workers face prolonged unemployment. Until we address China’s currency manipulation and make decisions to reduce our trade deficit, I see no reason to pursue more NAFTA-style free trade agreements.

“I appreciate the work Ambassador Kirk and his negotiators have put into achieving a more level playing field for American autoworkers and manufacturers in the U.S. – Korea agreement. I’m encouraged that the Administration insisted on meaningful changes for automakers. When this deal is final, it will also need to be examined alongside the European Union-Korea trade agreement which achieved limitations on duty drawback provisions, allowing the Korean government to refund the tariffs its automakers pay on imported parts, including those from China. The EU-Korea deal also does not include the harmful investor-state provisions which I have worked for years to reform in our trade agreements.

“President Obama is trying to modernize U.S. trade policy and make the process more transparent and inclusive. Looking ahead, I will continue to work with the Administration on new agreements, especially the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as we try to rebuild a consensus on trade policy.”

Brown is considered one of Congress’ leading voices on trade issues. He is the author of the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development, and Employment (TRADE) Act, legislation that would require a review of existing trade agreements, provide an opportunity to renegotiate existing trade agreements, and outline principles of what should be included in future trade agreements. The legislation also strengthens the role of Congress in trade policymaking. He also introduced the Trade Enforcement Priorities Act, legislation that would give the federal government more authority to address trade barriers that undermine American workers and domestic manufacturing. This includes the reinstatement of “Super 301" authority, which allows the U.S. Trade Representative to enforce trade laws that promote domestic manufacturing and job creation.

http://brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press_releases/release/?id=851E6A31-FD78-477C-97B7-650418084623

[Catherina]

5. Rec'd. n/t