Since free trade agreements first began with the passing of NAFTA in 1994, America’s trade deficit rose from 39.2 billion dollars to 559.8 billion in 2011, or an increase of over 1428 percent. This rise was due to the outsourcing of manufacturing production oversees to countries with lower environmental or safety regulations and no minimum wage. Instead of reducing free trade agreements to improve employment, Congress is expanding them, which will lead to further drops in production, larger trade deficit and loss of good paying jobs.

Before 1994, the United States was the largest creditor nation, but since the passing of NAFTA, it has become the largest debtor nation, borrowing 3.84 billion per day and a current debt of over 16 trillion dollars.

To fix America’s trade and lending deficits, I support the following:

1. Reform or leave NAFTA, CAFTA and other free trade agreements

2. Negotiate trade agreements that are beneficial to the United States; Stop the Save Our Industries Act

3. Reform or leave the World Trade Organization

4. Create a system of protective tariffs with rates between 10 and 15 percent.

Reform Party of the United States of America