Potential US Secretary of Commerce Wants Fair Trade

by Zarah Patriana · 2009-03-19 09:59:00 UTC
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The United States Department of Commerce deals with business and industry with the mission of fostering, promoting, and developing the foreign and domestic commerce of the United States. President Obama's new pick for the post of Secretary of Commerce is former governor of Washington, Gary Locke, who had his hearing before the Senate's Commerce Committee yesterday.

What is interesting about yesterday's hearing was when asked about existing US trade pacts, Locke stated,

More than free trade, though, I believe in fair trade. That means we must enforce our trade agreement and place a high value on environmental, labor and safety standards and failure to do so is putting American workers at a competitive disadvantage.

Very refreshing to hear language like this coming from those who have influence over US trade pacts. My jaw dropped a little when I heard it on the radio and I might have given a little air high-five. Let's hope that once the Senate confirms him and he assumes the post that he will keep that 'fair trade' language in his future negotiations and reform existing free trade agreements. Not only will American workers benefit, but workers in other countries will be able to as well.

Zarah Patriana
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