Chris Dodd for President

Senator Chris Dodd today released the following statement voicing his opposition to Peru Free Trade Agreement, which would take jobs away from American workers and send them to Peruvian workers instead.

"Americans are looking for change - but there's nothing new in supporting the failed trade policy of the last six years, which is partially responsible for the loss of 3 million manufacturing jobs. It's disappointing that Senators Clinton and Obama, in supporting this agreement, would support more of the same, which will only add to our deficit, taking jobs away from hardworking Americans and shipping them elsewhere.

"The United States must take a "strategic pause" and not sign any new trade agreements until we have a model for trade that raises -- not lowers -- living standards for the vast majority of Americans and the people in countries with which we trade. It's time to put the interests of our own people ahead of the interests of large corporations and give American families the reassurance that 'Made in America' means that their children will not be poisoned by imports."

This afternoon Senator Chris Dodd called for immediately suspending all imports of toys and food from China while addressing the Iowa Federation of Labor.

This is an issue of safety. Parents should be confident that the toys and food that they give their children have been inspected and are safe. That's why I am calling on the President to use his authority to immediately suspend all imports of toys and food from China. It's not enough to simply talk about working for fair trade agreements. We need leadership that will act to enforce fair trade. We have the legal right and power under the WTO to keep products out of our country that threaten the health and safety of our families, and I'm going to do all I can to ensure we do so.