Straight Talk on Trade gives you the rhetorical tools needed to reach Democratic and Republican skeptics of tariffs and factory work.
The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) thinks about trade a lot. Specifically, we think trade should be made fairer for American companies and American workers – that our government can and should pursue a strong trade enforcement policy in defense of them, and that the trade deals it signs should onshore more industry and jobs for the benefit of American economy and our communities.
Polling shows, however, that Americans have complicated views on trade.
We think trade should be a two-way street, and that everyone should play by the same rules. Some of us believe tariffs cause inflation, while others say using them helps grow manufacturing jobs. Roughly equal numbers call tariffs a tax on consumers and a fee on importers. What’s more, these opinions vary wildly by party affiliation. If you’re a Republican, President Trump’s trade policies are unassailable. If you’re a Democrat, meanwhile, your skepticism of aggressive trade enforcement is at an all-time high.
We’re here to cut through the noise and discuss trade in terms everyone can understand. AAM has produced a pamphlet – the Straight Talk on Trade booklet – that takes six big questions about trade policy facing America today. It answers them for audiences on both the left …
And the right …
The takeaway? When answering questions about tariffs, trade deals or enforcement actions, you have to meet Americans where they are on the political spectrum. When you do, you’ll find a lot of commonality in the trade outcomes we want to see.
You can find the entire booklet online as a PDF. What’s more, AAM coordinators are out and about talking all over the country talking about trade policy. To schedule a presentation in your (and get your own physical copy of the Straight Talk on Trade booklet) sign up here.