Congressman Charles Taylor Email to me Regarding CAFTA
Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to CAFTA (the Central American Free Trade Agreement). I always appreciate hearing from constituents and greatly benefit from knowing their views.
As you are certainly aware, I voted against NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) and I view similar trade agreements with the same suspicion and wariness. International trade policies such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have wreaked havoc on the economy of WNC in recent years. I strongly opposed the NAFTA agreement with Mexico and Canada because of my belief that NAFTA would degrade the quality of life which is made possible by our health, safety and environmental laws and would cost thousands of U.S. jobs. Unfortunately, this belief was well-founded: since its passage, NAFTA has devastated numerous industries and regional economies -- such as the textile manufacturing industry in WNC -- by encouraging many companies to move their operations to Mexico, attracted by cheaper labor and less stringent environmental regulations. Western North Carolina has more than shared in this economic loss, as several major employers have closed plants and laid off workers in our area. One of my primary responsibilities as Representative of the Eleventh District is to attract job opportunities to our region; NAFTA has made this goal infinitely more difficult. I am certain that CAFTA will cause similar effects. Please be assured that I will cast my vote in opposition to the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
Again, thank you for contacting me. If I can be of any further assistance regarding this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. Additionally, if you would like to receive my weekly email update, Capitol Connection, just visit www.house.gov/charlestaylor/email.htm to sign up for the newsletter. With warmest regards, I am,