TRADE

Talks to resume on Thailand agreement

Although they’ve been on a slow track for a few months, talks on the Thailand Free Trade Agreement are expected to pick up soon.

That’s why UAW President Ron Gettelfinger spent time March 16 in Washington, D.C., speaking to congressional representatives about the issue and the threat to American jobs.
This proposed free-trade agreement could be a job killer for the more than 25,000 American workers in the pickup assembly and parts industry. Thailand is the second largest producer of trucks in the world. If a trade deal with Thailand lifts the 25 percent tariff on imports to the United States, we would be flooded with imported trucks from Thailand.

They’re lining up already. Nissan has plans to build a third assembly plant in Thailand to produce 300,000 more pickups to export to other countries.

The UAW opposes any change in the current 25 percent tariff on trucks imported from Thailand.

Contact your representatives to let them know what you think about the Thailand Free Trade Agreement. Go to www.uaw.org and click on News & Views to write your congressional representative, or call the Senate at (202) 224-3121 and House of Representatives at (202) 225-3121.