Ron Kirk Wants Free and Fair

Published March 22, 2009 @ 03:19PM PT

The new US Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron Kirk was sworn in by Vice-President Joe Biden this past Friday. As President Obama's chief trade negotiator, Ambassador Kirk declared at that the U.S. needs a new trade policy,

We have to squarely face this challenge and create a new trade agenda that the public believes works for America's families, is transparent and reflects our basic values. [but] the United States will not retreat from the global marketplace nor our special role of leadership in shaping that policy.

In saying that, a coalition of businesses and development groups, including Oxfam America reminded Kirk that while making his trade negotiations, he must not forget the potential impact those decisions have on the developing world.

During this difficult period for economies around the world, it is necessary to recognize that the economic welfare of Americans is inextricably linked with the well-being of men, women, and children across the globe.

Now that Ambassador Kirk is officially in office, that while he shows his support for free and open trade, he should be reminded that the trade also needs to be fair and he must live up to the words of him and President Obama who have time and again insisted that trade agreements should have high environmental and protect labor and union rights not only in the United States, but also in our trading partner nations.

[photo: AP Photo / Pablo Martinez Monsivais]

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Author

Zarah is the Operations Manager for the Global Exchange Fair Trade Online Store, a project of the international human rights organization, Global Exchange. Alongside her work with marginalized communities from all over the world to get their products into the international market, Zarah serves to educate and inform the public about a more just and sustainable trading system.