POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
Where the Democratic presidential candidates stand on Colorado issues
Ahead of the state’s presidential primary on Super Tuesday, the Democratic candidates talk health care, marijuana, education, public land and beer
Reporting:
Brian Eason
Design:
Design:
Eric Lubbers
Eric Lubbers
IMPORTANT VOTING INFORMATION
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Q: TRADE AGREEMENTS
Q:
Background: President Donald Trump recently achieved a key campaign promise when he received bipartisan Congressional approval for a rework of NAFTA -- now known as the USMCA, or United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The deal includes new protections for auto manufacturing and labor and the environment, and it relaxes market restrictions on dairy products to encourage trade. It came as a welcome relief to many Colorado farmers and manufacturers. But the next president also inherits strained relations with China and other countries subjected to punitive Trump administration tariffs in recent years.
Supports the deal but not Trump tariffs
A: In December, he said he supported the deal because of the additional labor and environmental provisions added. He has also criticized the way Trump uses tariffs, particularly with regard to China.
Opposes USMCA and wants to renegotiate
A: In January, Sanders issued a statement saying he opposed the deal, and if elected, would immediately renegotiate. He is concerned that it allows companies operating in the U.S. to move jobs to other countries and benefits oil and gas companies without addressing climate change. In terms of future trade deals, he would deem food supply a national security issue.
Supports the deal but wants climate change addressed
A: Warren expressed support for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, saying it represents progress and a step away from the Trump administration's erratic approach to trade. If elected, Warren has pledged not to sign a deal that doesn’t prioritize action on climate change and encourage the global economy to move to renewable energy. She also said she would put the interests of American workers and businesses first -- rather than multinational corporations.
Supports deal because of labor provisions
A: Bloomberg did not answer the question about the USMCA trade deal, but told others he supports it because of labor initiatives. But on a broader level, he said supports agreements that boost American exporters and raise living standards for consumers. He also pledged to do more to help workers threatened by global competition and economic disruption.
Opposes the deal because it ignored climate change
A: Steyer opposed the trade agreement because it failed to factor in climate change -- which he said should be “central to our diplomacy and trade policies.” If elected, he said his administration would negotiate a deal with Mexico and Canada with input from environmental groups, indigineous populations and labor unions. He said tariffs should not be “used as punishment tools,” but rather applied to further U.S. industries and national interests.
Voted in favor of USMCA
A: She voted in favor of the new USMCA trade deal. In a recent debate, she said in future deals she would work to address climate change, but called the new deal a major improvement when it came to labor issues.
The Issues
Pick a card to see stances from the candidates.