Senator Kerry on Trade

[MurikanDemocrat]

International Trade

John Kerry believes that American workers can compete and win with workers anywhere in the world if they have the skills and training they need and the level playing field they deserve. He will put in a place a series of incentives to keep manufacturing jobs in the United States and he will ensure that our trading partners play by the rules. He will invest in 21st century manufacturing – in creating the industries and jobs of the future. And if we’re going to build the jobs of the future, we need to make sure our workers are trained and ready to do them. John Kerry will make sure America has a cutting edge workforce by helping manufacturing workers with grants to upgrade their skills and by making higher education affordable for every American.

Priorities

Strong Enforcable Trade That Works for America
The Bush Administration has not cracked down on countries that are avoiding trade laws or manipulating currency. President Bush has supported cutting funds for trade enforcement, despite the fact that we need more enforcement of trade laws to stop the manufacturing job drain. Some Democrats pretend that we can close our doors to the global economy. John Kerry believes we need strong leadership to assure that the global economy works for America.

Assure Trading Partners Play by the Rules. Some nations have consistently violated agreements by the World Trade Organization. They have taken unfair actions to block U.S auto companies from selling in their markets. Many products from China are counterfeit or don’t meet industry standards. While this Administration has not used the remedies available under the World Trade Organization to crack down on these violations and help U.S industries, John Kerry would.

Stop Countries from Manipulating Currency. China, Japan and other nations have purposely kept their currency undervalued relative to the U.S. dollar to promote exports in the United States and undermine U.S. products abroad. John Kerry believes we must use the full force of the World Trade Organization to take on countries that are manipulating their currency to undermine U.S. exports.

Enforce and Strengthen Intellectual Property Protections. In the 21st economy, the U.S. relies more heavily on international partnerships and joint ventures. Intellectual property protections are essential in this environment so that companies can share their technology without losing control of it.

Break Down Barriers in Key Export Markets. This Administration has done little to open key export markets in places like Japan and Korea. Some countries use non-tariff barriers, such as making it difficult to access finance or have obscure investment requirements, to undermine U.S. exports. For example, auto exports to Japan are still essentially blocked by complicated rules. John Kerry would use all the available tools, including Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, WTO remedies, and diplomatic measures to open these markets.

Review Existing Trade Agreements. John Kerry will also order an immediate 120 day review of all existing trade agreements to ensure that our trade partners are living up to their labor and environment obligations and that trade agreements are enforceable and are balanced for America’s workers. He will consider necessary steps if they are not. And John Kerry will not sign any new trade agreements until the review is complete and its recommendations put in place. He believes all new trade agreements must have strong labor and environmental standards.

Encourage Manufacturers to Stay in the U.S. and to Create New Jobs
The Bush Administration has done nothing to end incentives that encourage manufacturers to move their jobs overseas. John Kerry believes that we should not only get rid of these incentives, but that we should give new tax breaks to companies that stay in the U.S. and create new jobs. He would:
Stop Incentives to Move American Jobs Abroad. John Kerry will save jobs by ending the unpatriotic practice of U.S. corporations moving jobs offshore (known as inversions) to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. He also believes that these inverters should not get government contracts or any other perks or incentives from the government.

Give Tax Breaks to Manufacturers in America. John Kerry supports efforts to promote manufacturing and provide incentives to keep manufacturing in the U.S. That’s why he supports the Crane-Rangel-Hollings legislation, which provides a corporate rate reduction to manufacturers who produce goods in the U.S.

A New Manufacturing Jobs Credit. John Kerry has proposed a new jobs tax credit to encourage manufacturing companies to stay and expand in America. When a manufacturing company creates jobs above their 12 month employment average, the payroll taxes of the new employees will be refunded for two years.

Double the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). We know that the MEP helps make American manufacturers competitive. Yet this Administration has proposed to cut it nearly 90 percent. John Kerry believes we should invest in things that work, and has proposed to double funding for the MEP. John Kerry would also create Manufacturing Development Centers to help improve manufacturing. Finally, he would make it easier for small manufacturers to get loans and encourage investment by getting rid of capital gains tax for equity investments in small businesses.

Making Sure Our Workers are Prepared to Compete for the Jobs of the 21st Century

Assure Better Training and Retraining Programs for Manufacturing Workers. To keep the manufacturing sector healthy and strong, America needs a workforce with cutting edge skills, training, and knowledge. Kerry would: (1) in order to assure that are sufficient numbers of highly skilled workers, Kerry supports providing assistance for workers in declining industries to upgrade or develop necessary skills, and providing community-based grants to help train or retrain workers; (2) assure adequate Trade Adjustment Assistance to help workers transition; (3) encourage students studying engineering, computers, and other high-tech fields to work in the manufacturing sector by repaying a portion of student loans if they do; and (4) encourage better math and science instruction in our schools to assure more students have the skills to help the manufacturing sector grow.

Making Four Years of College Affordable. To be successful in the 21st Century economy, America’s workforce must be more innovative and productive than our competitors. That means better science and math in our schools and job training opportunities. But it also means giving every American the opportunity of four years of college.

Create a New “College Opportunity Tax Credit”
Kerry’s “College Opportunity Tax Credit” will make four years of college affordable for all Americans. He will provide a credit for each and every year of college on the first $4,000 paid in tuition – the typical tuition and fees for public college tuition. The credit will provide 100% of the first $1000 and 50% on the rest. It will also make this credit refundable for those who receive other credits.

Pay College Tuition for Students That Give Two Years of Service to America
Kerry’s ‘Service for College’ plan will provide the cost of four years at a public college to young people in exchange for serving their communities and country in national service.

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/trade/

[Armstead]

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[MurikanDemocrat]

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