Bush and Democrats in Accord on Trade Deals

After weeks of negotiation, the Bush administration and congressional leaders have worked out an agreement on how to include environmental and worker protections in trade deals. “The unusual agreement, which came after weeks of negotiations, would guarantee workers the right to organize, ban child labor and prohibit forced labor in trading-partner countries,” writes journalist Steven Weisman. “It would also require trading partners to enforce environmental laws already on their books and comply with several international environmental agreements.” The agreement applies to US deals planned with Peru, South Korea, Colombia and Panama, and US officials hope that it can serve as a model for future deals. Trade already improves lives with jobs and products, and perhaps can do even more with ideas that promote fairness and quality of life. – YaleGlobal