Enforcement in the New NAFTA
Trade, Enforcement in the New NAFTA, May 22, 2019
There are two other issues we would like to address as it relates to NAFTA and to all subsequent trade agreement. First is Chapter 11 Tribunals. These tribunals put national and state sovereignty at the mercy of the interests of multinational enterprise.
If such enterprise were employee-owned, we would see no problem. That, however, is not the case. Local workers and the environment are put at the mercy of the wealthy few. It is economic gunboat diplomacy without the Navy and it must stop. A big reason we have Trump as President is this kind of trade issue. Obviously the public is not amused.
The second is visas. Canadian (including refugees from Hong Kong) and American citizens can immigrate for one year (renewable) on a NAFTA visa. Mexican workers cannot. This is purely racism. If the Congress believes there are too many Mexican workers in American fields and factories, repeal right to work laws and immigration restrictions.
You will find most employers will prefer American workers if they have to pay a union wage and operate under safety standards set in collective bargaining. Until then, make visa rules uniform and apply them to workers already here. If this does not happen, someone may yet raise an equal protection case in our courts, which will also give us a test of the constitutionality of the Chapter 11 tribunals.
There are two other issues we would like to address as it relates to NAFTA and to all subsequent trade agreement. First is Chapter 11 Tribunals. These tribunals put national and state sovereignty at the mercy of the interests of multinational enterprise.
If such enterprise were employee-owned, we would see no problem. That, however, is not the case. Local workers and the environment are put at the mercy of the wealthy few. It is economic gunboat diplomacy without the Navy and it must stop. A big reason we have Trump as President is this kind of trade issue. Obviously the public is not amused.
The second is visas. Canadian (including refugees from Hong Kong) and American citizens can immigrate for one year (renewable) on a NAFTA visa. Mexican workers cannot. This is purely racism. If the Congress believes there are too many Mexican workers in American fields and factories, repeal right to work laws and immigration restrictions.
You will find most employers will prefer American workers if they have to pay a union wage and operate under safety standards set in collective bargaining. Until then, make visa rules uniform and apply them to workers already here. If this does not happen, someone may yet raise an equal protection case in our courts, which will also give us a test of the constitutionality of the Chapter 11 tribunals.
posted by Michael Bindner at 10:00 AM
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