Trade rep's visit sparks protest
Members of the Maine Fair Trade Campaign protested in downtown Bangor today, coinciding with a visit from U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to express displeasure with federal trade policies that the advocacy group says undermine American jobs.
Kirk is in Maine to publicize President Obama's National Export Initiative, a measure intended to create two million new jobs by doubling American exports. He is expected to discuss with local executives ways to increase Maine exports throughout his two-day stay. Kirk has drawn the ire of Maine Fair Trade, however, for his support of federal trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Maine Fair Trade blames for the loss of thousands of jobs in the U.S.
Kirk spent the morning touring the G.M. Allen & Son blueberry farm and processing center in Orland, according to the Bangor Daily News, and was scheduled to attend the Bangor State Fair later in the afternoon. Tomorrow, he expects to tour the Verso paper mill in Bucksport before returning to Bangor for a discussion with representatives of the marine, agricultural and forest industries.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments