U.S. Senator Russ Feingold On the President's Remarks Today Regarding Trade March 23, 2005 "I strongly disagree with the President's characterization today of NAFTA as a "success", and with his call on Congress to pass CAFTA this year. These comments are out of touch with American businesses and workers who have been forced to compete on an uneven playing field for years under bad deals like NAFTA. Unless we can turn this flawed approach to trade around, agreements like CAFTA will put more American companies out of business and workers out of a job. As the President's choice to be our trade representative, Ohio Congressman Portman should know all too well, unfair trade deals have had a destructive impact on our home states of Wisconsin and Ohio whose economies depend on a healthy manufacturing base. Our trade agreements should ensure that potential trading partners are subject to some minimum standards including enforceable provisions to protect workers, the environment, and public health and safety. Without some minimum standards, CAFTA will only further encourage the race to the bottom instigated by NAFTA and other trade agreements, and that's a race which no one wins. I look forward to the upcoming debate on CAFTA and it's my hope that this Administration will not ignore bi-partisan concerns and continue to promote the false promises and failed trade policies that have not worked for America's working families. "

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