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TomCADem

(17,390 posts)
24. How to Make Sense of the White House on NAFTA. Populist Protectionism or Not?
Sun Sep 2, 2018, 09:25 PM
Sep 2018

On the one hand, you have the White House quietly telling Congressional leaders that there will be no significant changes. On the other hand, you have Trump ripping off Bernie's greatest anti-trade hits complete with tariffs and nuking NAFTA. For example, compare Trump's statements in the OP with Bernie's 2016 press release below.

That being said, it does seem that Trump truly is isolationist given his anti-immigration and anti-trade moves to date, so perhaps this is an instance where Trump actually believes his rhetoric.

https://berniesanders.com/press-release/job-killing-trade-deals-hurt-pennsylvania-workers/

Job-Killing Trade Deals Hurt Pennsylvania Workers

Clinton recently signaled that she might seek modifications in the pact, but Sanders said that’s not enough. “I will not renegotiate the TPP, I will reject it. I will not send any trade deals to Congress that make it easier for corporations to shut down in this country and move abroad.”

He pledged to rewrite the worst trade deals of the last 30 years, including NAFTA. Sanders will also impose countervailing tariffs on imports from China and Japan until they stop dumping steel into the United States and stop manipulating their currencies.

At the news conference here, Sanders was joined by President Mike Smith of the United Steelworkers Local 1557-2 and President Scott Slawson of the United Electrical Workers Local 506.

Pennsylvania voters go to the polls on April 26 to decide how the state will allocate its 189 pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention this summer in Philadelphia.
40% of Vermont's exports go to Canada; 4% go to Mexico. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2018 #1
Cadet Bone Spurs doesn't give a shit. lark Sep 2018 #2
Does Sanders give a shit about Vermont? The OP specifically mentions Bernie Sanders. . nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2018 #4
How to Make Sense of the White House on NAFTA. Populist Protectionism or Not? TomCADem Sep 2018 #24
got a terrible flashback to the insane anti-trade narratives of 2016. JHan Sep 2018 #26
Bingo. paleotn Sep 2018 #14
Trump not going to kick Canada out. He can't kick Canada out. He would have tried if it served him. Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2018 #3
Good summary, Bernardo. Agrees with what I've read... KY_EnviroGuy Sep 2018 #12
There is one thing that Canada and Russia have in common: luvtheGWN Sep 2018 #15
++++++ JHan Sep 2018 #27
He has also been threatening to leave the WTO MiniMe Sep 2018 #5
Yes. Despite WTO being good for the US. 6-front trade war not enough, he has to attack whole world Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2018 #7
That's what dick-taters* do MiniMe Sep 2018 #9
And Canadians are quaking in their fucking toques knightmaar Sep 2018 #6
Not. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2018 #8
AND soon to be toking in their toques. Crutchez_CuiBono Sep 2018 #13
Holding a big stick, someone needs to explain to tRump that... KY_EnviroGuy Sep 2018 #10
He never intended to include Canada. no_hypocrisy Sep 2018 #11
Leaving out Canada.... paleotn Sep 2018 #16
US runs a trade surplus with Canada (goods and services) & slight deficit if you only look at goods Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2018 #17
In 2017, I believe it was a slight deficit paleotn Sep 2018 #18
Yes, indeed, can't be over emphasized: inextricably linked. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2018 #19
Funny thing: US taxpayers subsidize Big Dairy. THAT'S SOCIALISM!!!! Marcuse Sep 2018 #20
I wouldn't call the supply management system exactly capitalism. luvtheGWN Sep 2018 #22
It is seems to be a gentler capitalism wherein the smaller producers are not crushed by monopolists Marcuse Sep 2018 #25
Never make it past Congress NickB79 Sep 2018 #21
NAFTA was passed by congress rpannier Sep 2018 #23
It's not about what's best for the U.S., it's about Trump shoving people around. LastLiberal in PalmSprings Sep 2018 #28
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) tirebiter Sep 2018 #29
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