Trade agreements affect our jobs, wages, food systems, and environment. Support H.Res. 1286, a resolution that puts working people before corporate interests.
For too long, U.S. trade agreements have prioritized profits over people, encouraging companies to move jobs overseas to take advantage of low wages, worker rights abuses, and weak environmental standards abroad. A new congressional resolution seeks to change this.
Fair Trade for Working Families (H.Res. 1286) calls for putting working people and communities first, rather than prioritizing corporate interests. The resolution includes policy proposals designed to guarantee fair wages, reduce job offshoring, ensure safe food, strengthen family farms, stop abuses by Big Tech, end corporate special rights, promote a healthy environment, and more.
As United Methodists, we profess we are temporary stewards of the resources and material goods that we have accumulated. Scripture calls upon us to stand in solidarity with “the least of these,” including the poor, the orphan, the widow, the stranger, and all other vulnerable members of society (Amos 5:7–13; Matt. 25:3–46; James 2:15–16).
Accordingly, the United Methodist Church recognizes the importance of creating just, equitable, and sustainable economies that benefit all members of society, especially marginalized and vulnerable peoples (2025-2028 Social Principles, ¶ 161, Economic Challenges, A).
“We call upon governments around the world to take steps to protect the right of legislatures at all levels—national, regional, and local—to safeguard the health care, environment, and labor of their citizens. In countries like the United States where ‘fast track’ legislation permits Congress to only give a yes or no to new trade legislation, Congressional leaders must involve themselves more in the trade negotiations or be prepared to vote no to the entire trade package when it is presented” (2020/2024 Book of Resolutions, #2102, Protecting Health Care, Labor, and Environment in Trade Negotiations).
Trade agreements impact the quality of our jobs, wages, food, environment, and more. However, these deals have not lived up to the promises made by elected leaders, and they are far too important to continue being negotiated in the shadows. It’s time for Congress to insist that trade officials push the Fair Trade for Working Families agenda in ongoing trade talks.
This content was originally published by the General Board of Church and Society; republished with permission on ResourceUMC.org on September 18, 2026.