George Miller: “after 3 years, we need to ask the question: Has NAFTA been fair to the American people? Would its expansion be fair to…”

“after 3 years, we need to ask the question: Has NAFTA been fair to the American people? Would its expansion be fair to workers and the environment? Would it be fair to American consumers? Based on the past 3 years, we'd have to say, ``no.'' The basic premise of free trade--that the manufacturer who makes the best product at the cheapest price wins--does not constitute fair trade unless consumers know what they are buying. Otherwise, that cheap price may mask dreadful working conditions, inadequate pay, exploitation of children or environmental practices that, were they known, would cause American consumers to make other purchase decisions: To avoid Mexican tomatoes sprayed with pesticides banned in the United States; to refuse to purchase vegetables picked by children who work in the fields instead of going to school; to reject tuna harvested by slaughtering thousands of dolphins. Most of us remember the TV commercials ``Look for the union label.'' Americans took that message to heart, and many shop specifically for products labeled ``Made in USA.'' Even in those cases where consumers purchase imported goods, however, they have a right--and some would argue an obligation--to know the conditions under which merchandise has been manufactured, and to avoid purchasing products manufactured under conditions considered abhorrent in this country. NAFTA is premised on the notion that consumers, not governments, should make decisions about what to purchase.”