June 9, 2006

Governor to Talk about Trade Issues with Workers Across State

LANSING – In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said Michigan cannot afford to lose more manufacturing jobs as the result of unfair trade with South Korea.  She is pressing the Bush Administration to negotiate a free and fair trade agreement with the country during current talks that began this week.
 
Granholm will also hold a series of roundtable discussions across the state to talk to workers and businesses about how unfair foreign trade impacts real people and jobs.
 
“There is no question that Michigan has the best workers on the planet,” Granholm said.  “But our workers and manufacturers need a level playing field.  Right now, they’re being asked to play with one arm tied behind their back.”
 
Earlier this week, Granholm sent a letter urging the Bush Administration to use the new trade negotiations with South Korea to eliminate that country’s unfair trading practices so American and Michigan auto manufacturers have a fair opportunity to sell their products overseas.  The Governor said any new trade agreement must lead to open and immediate access to South Korea’s market for domestic auto manufacturers.
 
Last year, South Korea sent 730,000 vehicles to dealerships across the United States, while the U.S. exported only 4,000 vehicles to South Korea.  This is the result of South Korean trade barriers that discriminate against cars, trucks, and SUVs built right here in Michigan.  
 
“In a manufacturing state like Michigan, the automotive capital of the world, these issues are so important for our families,” Granholm said.  “That’s why I’ll continue to be a strong advocate and a loud voice in favor of trade that’s fair to our products, our businesses, and our workers.”

The Governor’s weekly radio address is released each Friday at 10:00 a.m. and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state through an affiliation with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.  The address will also be available on the Governor’s website on Mondays as a podcast for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers

Broadcasters Note: Governor Granholm’s radio address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters website. 

Publishers Note: The text of today’s address is attached.