Democratizing North American Trade: A New Approach for a Stronger Economy

North American trade has long been dominated by corporate-friendly agreements that prioritize profits over people. The recent US-Canada trade dispute, which includes Donald Trump's threats to rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America', is just the latest example of how these deals harm workers and communities in both countries.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was negotiated by a Republican president but passed under a Democrat in 1994. It cemented corporate power across the continent, providing a template for future deals. NAFTA's successor, the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), made some changes but didn't address the core issues facing workers.

A more democratic approach to North American trade would prioritize labor rights, environmental standards, and continental industrial strategies. This could include strengthening protections for workers in all three countries, promoting fair labor standards, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure.

The Game Changers initiative proposes a new plan for North American economic cooperation, development, and trade that focuses on six key themes: labor rights, migration and human rights, environmental standards, continental industrial strategies, limiting corporate and investor 'rights', and regulating digital trade and tech. By putting workers and communities at the forefront of decision-making, we can build a stronger, fairer, and more sustainable North American economy.