WASHINGTON: U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), a staunch opponent of NAFTA-style trade agreements that have undermined the U.S. economy, on Nov. 8, 2007, led a majority of her Democratic colleagues in opposition to a flawed trade deal with Peru.

Despite opposition by Kaptur and 115 Democratic colleagues (including Betty Sutton, Dennis Kucinich, and Tim Ryan of Ohio, John Conyers of Michigan, and Linda and Loretta Sánchez of California), the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement (H.R.3688) ultimately passed by a vote of 285-132, which was assured with the endorsement of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  

“The American people, as well as the people of Peru, deserve more than the cosmetic changes that this deal represents. Once again the Congress has sided with the huge multinational corporations—especially financial institutions such as Citigroup—rather than the middle class and working people in America.”

Kaptur said she remained optimistic that the “fair trade” forces will eventually prevail and bring a fundamental change to the trade policies that have resulted in huge trade deficits and economic stagnation in the United States. Kaptur has been a leader in House battles against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA, 1993), Permanent Normal Trade Relations for China (2000), and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA, 2005).

The trade accord now moves to the Senate floor.