H.J. Res. 27 - Withdrawing from World Trade Organization (against)

H. J. Res. 27 [109th]: Withdrawing the approval of the United States from the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization. The World Trade Organization is a dangerous entity which sets an uncomfortable precedent for global governance. Those who have watched the European Union unfold know that it began as a trading block, which eventually morphed into massive European superstate with a central currency and most of the major economic decisions being dictated to the constituent governments by Brussels. Free trade agreements are not just about tariffs and taxation as establishment politicians of both parties will claim; they are about micromanaging the related national policy issues on trade through the harmonization of regulations.

More importantly, the WTO subjects the United States to a World Court which can review U.S. domestic policies such as agricultural subsidies and environmental regulations and enforce sanctions against the United States if Congress does not obey the directives of the World Court. To give you an example, the WTO actually ruled that laws in Europe preventing treatment of beef by hormone treatment are illegal under WTO standards! Now I am not for subsidies or excessive government regulation (although I would point anyone to data showing that hormone-treated beef IS dangerous which has been covered up in the United States); however, the WTO has no right to tell sovereign nations what to do! But then, I guess Cathy does not mind the World Court dictating policy to the United States since she voted against this resolution to withdraw from the WTO.