CONGRESSMAN COSTA VOTES TO PROTECT AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman JimCosta released the following statement regarding his vote on H.R. 3045, "Dominican Republic-CentralAmerica-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act" (CAFTA):
"I fully support global commerce. As a third-generation family farmer, I trulyunderstand the benefit of opening the world to the abundance of U.S. products.
"Of the producers in the CentralValley, some will win and some will lose with CAFTA. In Washington, I vote on behalf of the CentralValley's best interest to ensure a free and fair tradepolicy. Unfortunately, regardless of thediligent work and excellent intentions of our trade negotiators, the tradeagreements we have entered into are not serving America well, especially notAmerican agriculture. The increasing trade deficit over the last ten yearsserves as proof.
"The evidence of our trade failures is undeniable.Over the last dozen years, the U.S.trade deficit has grown exponentially from a deficit of $38 billion in 1992 to$668 billion last year. This is anincredible increase of more than $630 billion in twelve years, or more than1700 percent! This year, in spite of the Trade Promotion Authorityenjoyed by the President and the plethora of agreements brought before Congress, America'strade deficit is the largest it has been in nearly fifty years.
"Last year, many of the ships traveling from Asia to theWest Coast ports traveled back across the Pacific empty. This is a tragicillustration of a trade policy that is not working. Our current agreements give us little or no ability toleverage our strengths as a trading partner.
"Do we truly need another agreement when Japan, one ofour most important trading partners, continues to refuse entry of Americanbeef, which is one of our safest and highest quality food products?
"For the sake of the American agricultural economy,and other American industries, we must do better. We must seriouslyevaluate the way in which we conduct trade, beginning with the agreements wenegotiate. We must look at what isworking and, more importantly, what is not working.
"Ten years ago, I supported NAFTA. But, with the current state of our tradesituation and the weakness and of our current agreements, I cannot find any sensein supporting another trade agreement that perpetuates this sort of ineffectivepolicy.
"I am reminded of a familiar quote attributed toAlbert Einstein that illustrates my hesitation about CAFTA. "Insanity isdoing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." In lightof our trade deficits, how can we approve another agreement and expectdifferent, better results for the American farmer?
"In conclusion, my vote today against CAFTA is avote of protest and a vote of dissatisfaction. My "no" vote today is a messageon behalf of American agriculture, American businesses and American workers tothe Administration and my colleagues in Congress, that we absolutely mustdevelop a new trade strategy, a strategy that over time reverses our tradedeficit.
"This new trade strategy must be straight with theAmerican public. It must define who over the next 10, or 20, or 30 yearswill be the winners and losers. In order, for America to remain economicallystrong in the 21st Century, we must have a plan to address thetransitions and shifts in our domestic economy.
"As participants in the 21st Centuryeconomy, which Thomas Friedman refers to as "the new flat earth," Americanworkers and business owners deserve to know what their chances are in theglobal economy. They need to know who among them will be the winners andlosers.
"And, throughout that deliberation, Americanagriculture must have a seat at the table," concluded Costa.