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Japanese Trade Official Blasts NAFTA,
Says It Would Make It Harder for Japan to Compete with U.S.
A senior official in the Japanese Trade Ministry blasted
NAFTA, saying that it would make it harder for the Japanese auto
industry and other producers to compete with the U.S., the
Associated Press reported. Yasuo Tanabe told the world congress
of the International Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City Wednesday
night that NAFTA had elements of "sneaky protectionism", making
it more difficult for Japan's automakers to compete in North
America.
Senator Moseley-Braun Endorses NAFTA
as Good for U.S. Workers, Jobs
Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL) yesterday endorsed
NAFTA, saying the "history of opening up trade is a history of
increasing economic growth. When trade barriers are removed,
trade increases. When trade increases, jobs are created. It's
just that simple." The world has changed, Braun said, with
economies becoming more intertwined than ever before. "NAFTA is
about meeting that change and facing the future," she said. Her
announcement came the day after her Senate colleague Paul Simon
endorsed NAFTA.
Speaking directly to organized labor she stated: "I would
not support NAFTA if I thought it was responsible for the job
losses Americans have been experiencing or if it would rob our
economy of new jobs. It is because, after long and careful
study, I am convinced that it will help American workers, instead
of hurt them, that I am supporting NAFTA." Moseley-Braun said
that defeating NAFTA would only maintain that status quo, "which
is not in anyone's interest, including American workers", and
would not change the fact that jobs have left the U.S. "If
anything," the Senator stated, "NAFTA will encourage U.S.
companies that have factories in Asia to move back to North
America."
Rep. Kennedy Calls for Strong Leadership In Support of NAFTA
Saying yesterday that "NAFTA is going to create a lot of
good, high wage jobs" in Massachusetts," Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA)
called for "strong leadership" to approve NAFTA. "When President
Kennedy took the then-unpopular step of lowering trade barriers
in the early 1960's," he said, "this nation experienced one of
the longest runs of economic prosperity any nation had
experienced in the history of the world. ...In sum," Kennedy
concluded, "NAFTA means more American jobs and more jobs in
Massachusetts."
Consider NAFTA a Border Control Tool - Immigration: Expansion of
job opportunities in Mexico is the only long-term answer.
"By supporting NAFTA, California will help provide the
only real, sustainable way to substantially halt illegal
immigration."
Attorney General Janet Reno in today's Los Angeles Times