Fair Trade Proposals Killed

Here are some of the key fair trade amendments to the Peru Free Trade Agreement that progressives offered in the U.S. House today, and which the House Democratic leadership joined with Republicans to defeat in the Rules Committee:

- An amendment that would set as a precondition before the United States effectuates the Peru Free Trade Agreement that both the United States and Peru must ensure that their laws fully comply with the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the eight Fundamental ILO Conventions and that these laws are being enforced.

- An amendment that would require the Interagency Committee to request that the Government of Peru conduct and audit within six months of the date of enactment, to determine that all Peruvian producers and exporters are complying with all applicable laws, including those that prohibit damage to the habitat of endangered species.

- An amendment to add a new Title, Action by the President in Cases of Large Consecutive Annual Trade Deficits with Peru. The amendment would require that, in cases in which the annual trade deficit between the United States and Peru is $3,000,000,000 or more for 3 consecutive years, the President take the necessary steps to create a more balanced trading relationship with Peru.

- An amendment to require Peru to develop a plan to combat drug proliferation as a prerequisite for implementation of the Free Trade Agreement.

- An amendment to delay the implementation of the agreement until President Bush is no longer in office.

- An amendment that would sunset the Peru Free Trade Agreement after two years unless the following criteria are met: 1) Peru has passed a general labor law that conforms with ILO standards; 2) Peruvian trade in the endangered species mahogany has declined significantly; 3) Peru has established a food safety program for its U.S. exports that ensures all exports shipped to the U.S. meet U.S. safety standards; 4) Malnutrition rates in Peru's rural areas have declined.

- An amendment to ensure that nothing in the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement could be used or seen to modify or amend current Buy American provisions in U.S. law.

- An amendment that would stipulate that the agreement may not go into effect until the Peruvian government lays out food and product safety standards equal to those in the United States. Ensures those standards include inspection of exported goods before they reach U.S. ports.

- An amendment to require that until the overhaul of the current Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program is completed, and all safeguards and security measures for American workers are in place before the President is authorized to enter into force of the Agreement.

Again, the Democratic leadership joined with Republicans to defeat these amendments (which were offered by rank-and-file Democrats). The Peru Free Trade Agreement - the first in a package of agreements [1] that expands the NAFTA model - now moves to the House floor for a vote.

This is your Democratic Congress at work.