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Utah Senate urges caution on Free Trade Area of the Americas after heated debate
Summary
Senators debated a resolution urging federal caution on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Sponsor Sen. Jason Thomas cited job losses tied to prior trade agreements; opponents said state lawmakers lack time and information to judge the international pact. The resolution was advanced for further consideration.
Senators on the Utah State Senate floor on Feb. 3 debated a resolution urging Congress to slow consideration of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, with sponsor Senator Jason Thomas arguing past trade agreements have cost American manufacturing jobs and harmed Utah workers.
"We shouldn't get into another one until we have a better track record with the ones we've already gotten into," Thomas said, citing NAFTA, GATT and World Trade Organization rulings as evidence the United States had long-term job losses tied to trade agreements.
Thomas told colleagues he distributed briefing materials and said the resolution was aimed at urging a fuller national debate. "If nothing else, this resolution says slow down," he said.
Opponents said the subject is a federal matter and state senators lacked time to study a complex international agreement. Senator Haggard said he planned to vote no because he did not have time during the session to read and weigh the issue. Senator Stevenson and others urged colleagues not to cast an uninformed vote.
Senators from both sides framed the debate as about 'fair trade' and the protection of American jobs rather than rejecting international commerce outright. The clerk recorded the resolution as having been advanced to the next stage after a floor vote to read for the third time (the clerk announced 15 yes votes in favor of the reading). The resolution will move forward for further action and possible final consideration on a subsequent day.
