WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today introduced her legislation to establish a trade prosecutor to police our trading partners and protect U.S. manufacturers from unfair trade practices, particularly with China and Japan. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

“Last year alone Michigan lost more than 50,000 jobs due to dishonest trade practices,” said Stabenow. “These job losses are hurting manufacturers across the state, from apple juice to auto parts. We need to enforce our trade agreements now – American workers depend on it.”

Last year’s U.S. trade deficit was the largest in history. China alone exports five products to the U.S. for every one American product shipped to them. These unfair trade policies have already cost the U.S. economy over a million jobs.

The trade prosecutor will fight unfair trade practices that hurt Michigan manufacturers including undervaluing currency, which allows these countries to sell more goods in the U.S. while raising the costs of American products abroad; providing illegal government subsidies and interest-free loans to their industries; and selling counterfeit goods.

“Michigan’s manufacturers and farmers can compete with any country in the world,” said Stabenow. “But when other nations are cheating and violating our trade laws, we need someone to stand up and fight for them. A trade prosecutor will ensure that other nations play by the rules or pay the price.”

“This legislation does two very important things,” said Ann Wilson, Vice President for Government Affairs at the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “It recognizes the special needs of small business in the trade policy process and provides additional resources to enforce trade agreements. This legislation proposed by Senators Stabenow and Graham responds to the real need today for our government to provide more resources to our trade negotiators and to sustain their efforts over the long term. The automotive supplier industry appreciates the support of Senators Stabenow and Graham and looks forward to working with them.”