Sen. Rockefeller Withdraws Support of Trade Agreement
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WASHINGTON — In a reversal of his previous support, Sen. John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va) said Friday he had decided to vote against the proposed North American Free Trade Agreement.
Rockefeller, who until now had focused more on trade issues with Japan and Asia than with North America, said the measure would likely hurt the economy of his home state.
Although NAFTA seemed more assured of passing in the Senate than in the House, Rockefeller’s defection was considered bad news for the Clinton Administration.
“It is a risk that I have concluded we should not take right now,” Rockefeller said. “We shouldn’t have to sacrifice any more jobs or lose any more plants.”
Rockefeller said that under NAFTA, such industries as chinaware and glassware would face serious difficulties from Mexican competition.
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