March 2005

Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC.

Stop the CAFTA Vote

Developing countries are severely disadvantaged in the current world trading system, and unjust free trade agreements are compounding the problem. Rich nations preach free trade while hypocritically rigging the rules in their favor. They forget that their own nations were built on protecting domestic industry.

This struggle to stop the CAFTA vote is a symbolic referendum on the 10-year old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has failed to protect the rights of workers and deliver many other promises in the US and Mexico. Since CAFTA extends the harmful aspects of NAFTA rather than correcting them, the chances for improving the lives of the most vulnerable in the region will be diminished.

Fair trade agreements are possible, but only if they recognize the uneven playing field and provide flexibility for countries to set their own development agendas.

Because CAFTA will discriminate against the poor and vulnerable, hurt workers, and stifle democracy, the American Friends Service Committee is working to stop it in Congress. Supporters in Congress won't even bring CAFTA to a vote unless they are certain they can win its passage. The way to defeat CAFTA is to have your representative take a public position against it and help prevent the trade agreement from ever coming to a vote.

• Call or write a letter to your Congressional representatives. If you're not sure who they are, visit our web-based Congressional Directory.
• Write letters to the editor and call in to talk radio programs where trade is being discussed. Sample letter and talking points are available at www.afsc.org/trade-matters.
• Participate in Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC from March 11-14.
• Participate in the Global Week of Action on trade justice from April 10-16. Visit www.april2005.org for details.
  

Previous Article    Next Article