January 2002
EVERY MEMBER TOOL
WORLD TRADE

League of Women Voters of Sacramento members will discuss the LWVUS proposed new position on trade at the January & February Unit Meetings. A general concurrence vote on this position will be taken in the February Unit Meetings.

However, LWVUS is seeking concurrence from each individual league member on a national scope. If you are unable to participate in the February unit meetings, please fill out the concurrence form and mail to the LWVS office so that all votes can be sent to National in a packet. Mail concurrence form to:

THE PROPOSED NEW LWVUS POSITION ON TRADE? – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The proposed new position reaffirms the League’s support for a liberal U.S. trade policy while clarifying that such a policy should also advance the achievement of other important goals. These include improving basic living standards, reducing income inequality, protecting the environment, and upholding human and labor rights around the world. The position does not set specific requirements for improvement in these other areas but does endorse a number of trade-related strategies to achieve progress on these important goals. This will give the LWVUS Board the tools needed to balance the League’s multiple interests when evaluating trade proposals.

Section I sets out the league’s basic support for a trade policy that reduces trade barriers and expands international trade. Overall, trade liberalization fosters prosperity both at home and abroad and contributes to progress against poverty and hunger worldwide. Nonetheless, much needs to be done to extend the benefits of trade to more of the world’s people and advance vital social and environmental objectives. The position calls for the reduction of a variety of measures that restrict trade.

Section II endorses U.S. participation in an "international trade organization" and describes the principles by which it should operate. International agreements dealing with the environment and labor/human rights should be recognized as should the validity of non-protectionist domestic laws and regulations in these same areas. Multilateral trade agreements negotiated in the broadest possible international forum are preferable to regional and bilateral pacts.

Section III calls for a U.S. trade policy-making process that is open, transparent, and efficient and goes on to define the roles of Congress, the president, and the public in that process.

Section IV lists a variety of trade-related strategies to be used to advance the League’s social and environmental goals.

Section V provides examples of the types of trade and related policies that are needed to address the special needs of developing countries.

Section VI acknowledges that specific programs are needed to address the adverse impact of international trade on some domestic workers, firms and industries.

DO YOU CONCUR WITH THE PROPOSED NEW LWVUS POSITION ON TRADE?

The League’s position on world trade has long been one of support for measures that expand rather than restrict trade. From the 1930s through the 1980s, the League played an active role in promoting major new trade initiatives and in countering protectionist measures. More recently, however, the League has not taken action on key trade proposals (e.g., NAFTA, creation of the World Trade Organization, fast-track authorization in the 1990s) because of uncertainty about members’ views about how to reconcile trade liberalization with the League’s environmental and human/labor rights goals.

Convention 2000 adopted a process to update the trade position in order to resolve this dilemma and address other significant changes that have taken place since 1973 when the current position was formulated. A task force of state and local League representatives has been working with the LWVUS Board and staff to guide the update process. Now your input is needed!

Every member’s opinion counts.

A proposed new LWVUS position on trade has been developed, and the LWVUS Board is seeking concurrence directly from individual League members. You will find the proposed position, along with a response form, in your December 2001/January 2001 National Voter.

It’s easy to participate.

We are being asked whether we strongly support, accept, or do not accept the proposed position. After you have studied the position and formed your opinion, send in your concurrence response to the LWVUS via the League of Women Voters of Sacramento’s office. You may also elect to respond directly online in the Members Only Trade Update section of the LWVUS website (www.lwv.org/members/trade_update.html)

If you want to do more to prepare…..

* Reread the articles on trade that have appeared in the last several issues of The National Voter. These are available on the LWVUS website at www.lwv.org/join/trade/.

* Explore additional background information posted on the LWVUS website.

* Join fellow LWVS members for unit discussions of the proposed new position.