Brown Convenes Roundtable to Hear from Central Ohio Workers on Fixing Unfair Trade Practices
This Week, Senator Sent Letter to Trump Outlining Strategy, Priorities for Renegotiating NAFTA
COLUMBUS, OH —Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) convened a roundtable with central Ohio workers at the Carpenters and Joiners Local 200 Union Hall in Columbus to hear from Ohio workers about trade practices that have harmed workers. Brown sought feedback as he looks to work with President Trump to rewrite U.S. trade policy.
“I’ve always stood up to Presidents of both parties to fight for better trade deals for Ohio,” said Brown. “And I’m going to hold this administration’s trade agenda to the same standard I’ve always used, no matter who was in the White House: does it put Ohio workers first? I’m ready to work with President Trump to deliver on his promises, or to hold him accountable if he doesn’t.”
This week, Brown wrote to President Trump to outlining a strategy for renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Brown released a four-point plan for securing the best deal for American workers:
1. Secure Anti-Outsourcing and Buy America Provisions Up Front
2. Don’t Pit American Workers and Industries against Each Other in Negotiations
3. Build Enforcement Tools that Favor American Workers, Not Foreign Corporations if the Deal is Violated
4. Include Workers in the Negotiations
Immediately after President Trump’s election, Brown reached out to his transition team to offer his help on retooling U.S. trade policy. Brown wrote to Trump in November offering specific steps to work together on trade and Trump responded with a handwritten note.
“It is time to usher in a new era of American trade deals that empower workers here at home and abroad. Trade is essential to progress, but must include provisions that focus on and enforce labor law, human rights, raising wages and monetary standards. We applaud Senator Brown for lifting up the voice of working people and holding these roundtable discussions to hear how trade impacts everyday Ohioans and our quality of life,” said Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO.
Brown held a series of roundtables with Ohio workers in recent weeks to get their input on what the priorities should be for renegotiated trade deals. Brown has spoken with the President about Buy America and had multiple conversations with top White House trade advisers, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and USTR nominee Robert Lighthizer.
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