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Cynthia McKinney on Trade and Economics

Globalization has become a reality that has challenged traditional economies all over the world. Increased trade and agreements between nations have raised debate in the United States about what is the right balance between global exchange and protectionism. This topic includes information about candidate positions on: free trade and free trade agreements, farm subsidies, unionization, an increase in the federal minimum wage, and trade relations with China.

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The issues

Cynthia McKinney strongly opposes unrestricted free trade

"Well, first of all, I would repeal NAFTA and CAFTA. Because we have this issue of immigration because we have unfair practices in our economic policy, military policy, and foreign policy to those parts of the world from which these people are coming."

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"What we must encourage is a relationship with countries around the world, where we engage in fair trade, not free trade; we pay a fair price for the resources and other things that we need; we respect human rights, labor rights, environmental rights; and we repeal these agreements that have been implemented so far."

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Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade

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"[McKinney] supports fair trade, not corporate globalization. Has consistently opposed so-called "free trade" agreements – NAFTA, CAFTA, Fast Track, the Caribbean FTA, the US-Peru FTA, etc. – that undermine labor and environmental rights and cause the loss of living-wage jobs."

Chicago Tribune Issues Comparison

Cynthia McKinney strongly supports an increase in the federal minimum wage

"Instead of a livable wage, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi put an increase in the minimum wage. If the minimum wage had kept up with the stratospheric height of CEO remuneration, the minimum wage would be 22 dollars an hour. It is not sufficient given the income inequality that exists in our country and the erosion of value of workers' wages."

IPS News interview by Matthew Cardinale Mar 22, 2008

Was the sole author/sponsor of the Corporate Code of Conduct Act (H.R. 5377) which required that U.S. companies operating overseas: "Ensure fair employment...and the right to organize independently and bargain collectively, and the payment of a living wage to all workers, including, at a minimum, a living wage that would meet the basic needs of an average-size family and provide some discretionary income for an average-size family."

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Cynthia McKinney supports government subsidies to farmers

Voted YES on the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (H.R. 2646), which authorized $167 billion over ten years for farm price supports, food aid and rural development. Payments would be made on a countercyclical program, meaning they would increase as prices dropped.

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Cynthia McKinney strongly opposes normal diplomatic and trade relations with China

"In 1999, I voted to oppose Most Favored Nation status for China; and to condition trade with China on an improved human rights record."

Green Party 2008 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire Feb 3, 2008

"I am strongly opposed to recognizing as normal China's persistent violations of fundamental human rights, labor rights, reproductive rights, religious freedom, political rights, social and economic rights, as well as their export of sophisticated and destabilizing weapons, and their overt threats to Taiwan, by granting them Permanent Normal Trade Relations."

Opposed Most Favored Nation status for China; and to condition trade with China on an improved human rights record.

Chicago Tribune Issues Comparison