Max Baucus: “Our amendment modifies the objective on investment in the trade bill to make clear that foreign investors in the United…”

“Our amendment modifies the objective on investment in the trade bill to make clear that foreign investors in the United States should not be accorded a higher level of protection of their rights than U.S. citizens in the United States. There has been a lot of discussion of NAFTA chapter 11 in recent days. In particular, a number of Senators have expressed legitimate concerns about the impact that chapter 11, and other similar provisions in other agreements, may have on the ability of State and local governments to regulate--that is, to adopt and enforce laws that protect the public health, safety, and welfare. There is a growing consensus that we need to make sure that new trade and investment agreements don't give foreign investors in the United States greater rights than we give our own citizens. International agreements must not become a back door for expanded protection of foreign investors at the expense of protection of our environment, health, and safety.”