DeWine supports deal that threatens port security, Ohio jobs

Brown introduces legislation to ensure trade deals do not jeopardize U.S. security
 
AMHERST, OH -- The U.S. Senate is slated to begin debate today over the ratification of the Oman Free Trade Agreement, which U.S. Senator Mike DeWine supported earlier this year.  The Oman FTA would threaten the security of the United States by authorizing any company that has a subsidiary in Oman, including Dubai Ports World, to operate at U.S. port terminals.  Senator DeWine voted to ratify the Oman FTA earlier this year, and refused to take a stand when the state-owned Dubai Ports World corporation attempted to acquire major port terminal operations across the United States.
 
"Senator DeWine voted for job-killing trade deals that rewarded multinational corporations but jeopardized our national security," said U.S. Representative Sherrod Brown (D-OH).  "The U.S. government should never give the keys to our national security away to a foreign country or corporation.  This is Dubai Ports World all over again, and Mike DeWine has failed to put our security first."
 

In response to the Dubai Ports scandal, Brown introduced the Trade-Related American National Security Enhancement (TRANSEA) Act, which would protect Ohio by requiring a comprehensive national security review for all new trade agreements.  The TRANSEA Act would also establish an independent Congressional commission to monitor the impact of trade policy on homeland security.
 
The Oman FTA also allows Omani companies to sue the United States in an international trade tribunal which is responsible for promoting commerce, not protecting security.  This could pose a threat to port security if the U.S. passes additional port security legislation after the treaty has been ratified.
 
Mike DeWine supported the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and voted for the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and to grant China Permanent Normalized Trade Relations.  Ohio has lost more than 200,000 manufacturing jobs since he was sworn into his latest term in office.
 
Brown is one of Congress' leading proponents of fair trade policy. Last year he led the bipartisan opposition in Congress against CAFTA, and in 1994 he stood up to the president of his own party in opposing NAFTA.  He has introduced legislation that would ban the importation of goods produced in sweatshops.  Brown is also an original co-sponsor of the Patriot Corporations for America Act, which would use tax cuts and federal contracts to reward corporations that create jobs in the United States.

09/18/2006 / Permalink / Homeland Security, Trade, (all tags)