May 13, 2020 9:35 a.m.
Congressman Peter DeFazio has introduced legislation to withdraw the United States from the World Trade Organization.
The 4th district representative was joined by New Jersey colleague Congressman Frank Pallone.
DeFazio said “the WTO has been a disaster for the United States”. He claimed that millions of jobs have been exported, trade deficits have ballooned, and U.S. sovereignty has been eroded. DeFazio said, “the WTO has a 25-year track record of putting the profits of multinational corporations above the interests of American workers”. DeFazio said COVID-19 has exposed how “the hemorrhaging of U.S. jobs, particularly manufacturing jobs to China and other countries has significantly undermined our ability to respond to the global pandemic”. He said the United States needs to withdraw from the WTO to strengthen and protect its manufacturing base, public health and safety, industry and jobs, U.S. sovereignty, and the environment.
The release said the Uraguay Round Agreements are the statutory basis for the U.S. WTO membership. It specifies that Congress’s approval of the WTO agreement shall cease to be effective if Congress enacts a joint resolution calling for withdrawal. Congress may vote every five years on withdrawal, with the next possible consideration being this year, according to DeFazio’s release.