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Today, U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Dave Trott (MI-11), John Conyers (MI-13), and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) sent a letter to President Trump urging him to include strong and enforceable currency manipulation provisions in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA):

“American workers deserve to compete on a level playing field, and until our trade agreements meaningfully address currency manipulation, the mother of all trade barriers, they will continue to be disadvantaged by foreign governments who don’t play by the rules,” said Rep. Dingell. “We need our government to fight for American workers and companies in the same manner other countries do.  Strong, enforceable protections against currency manipulation must be included in the renegotiation of NAFTA and any future trade agreements to ensure we can protect American jobs and grow manufacturing in this country.”

"For decades, Southeast Michigan manufacturers at every level of the supply chain have been decimated - put at a competitive disadvantage by countries that unfairly manipulate their currency,” said Rep. Trott. “We need to crackdown on currency manipulators, leveling the playing field for domestic manufactures and ensuring we set the rules. Including strong and enforceable currency manipulation protections in the renegotiation of NAFTA will set a strong precedent for future trade deals, bolstering the vitality of our national economy and protecting the jobs of hardworking Michigan families.”

Last month, President Trump’s administration, in accordance with the Trade Promotion Authority notified Congress of its intent to begin formal trade talks with Canada and Mexico in a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

A PDF of the signed letter is available here.

Full text is as follows:

Dear President Trump:

Thank you for notifying Congress of your administration’s intent to begin trade talks with Canada and Mexico in a formal renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Ensuring our international trade agreements are in the best interest of the United States is critical to bolstering the vitality of our national economy.

In r epresenting the great State of Michigan, the heart of our nation’s domestic auto and manufacturing industries, we strongly urge your administration to include strong and enforceable currency manipulation protections in the renegotiation.

For decades, Michigan’s industries have been decimated, put at a competitive disadvantage by countries that unfairly manipulate their currency. The inclusion of strong currency manipulation prohibitions in the renegotiation of NAFTA will set an important precedent as our nation negotiates trade deals with various countries.

Manufacturers in Michigan don’t need special treatment. The unparalleled work product of the hardworking men and women of Michigan speaks for itself. However, we must level the playing field for our domestic manufacturers, ensuring the United States sets the rules, allowing the American work product to compete and succeed in the global economy.

Deploying strong currency manipulation protections is instrumental in allowing American companies to succeed, increasing economic prosperity, and securing good paying jobs for hardworking families in Michigan and across the country. With so much at stake, we implore you to include currency manipulation protections in the renegotiation of NAFTA, setting a strong precedent for all future trade deals.