Michigan Republican Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land has broken with many Republicans, voicing skepticism about a free trade agreement between the United States and a coalition of Asian countries.
Land said she is "discouraged by the direction of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations," fearing that the trade agreement could hurt American exports and manufacturing. The biggest cause for concern in Michigan is the 2013 entrance of Japan into the negotiations. Japan has come under fire from American carmakers for its restrictive auto market.
"I am concerned that the Trans-Pacific trade agreement would let exported products from some countries, like Japan, enter the U.S. market easily, but our domestic goods and products would face obstacles entering their markets," she wrote in a Detroit News op-ed published Tuesday. "If the Trans-Pacific trade agreement does not ensure reciprocity in market access, it should be postponed."
Land’s position on the trade deal, which involves nine Asian countries, as well as the United States, Canada, and Mexico, echoes the concerns expressed by labor groups, including the United Auto Workers. The UAW endorsed her Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, in February and has campaigned aggressively for him over the summer.
Land is attempting to drive a wedge between Peters and union members in Michigan by attacking the Democrat for his record on outsourcing.
Peters outsourced a $200,000 contract to a Chinese company during his tenure as state lottery commissioner and has invested heavily in companies that have profited from shipping jobs overseas. The three-term congressman, who is running on an environmentalist platform, also backed the 2009 Stimulus package that awarded millions to foreign-made luxury automaker Fisker.
"Terri Lynn Land knows our money should never be used to put us out of work. That’s why Terri will work for policies that create jobs here, not overseas," one of Land’s latest campaign ads says.
Land spokeswoman Heather Swift said the Republican’s position on free trade agreements is consistent with her record of "putting Michigan first."
"Gary Peters is running from his record of outsourcing a state contract to China, supporting a company that outsourced to Mexico, and sending billions of our tax dollars to companies overseas while Michigan unemployment was at 15 percent," Swift said. "Michigan workers cannot trust Gary Peters to work for them."
Land said that trade agreements can play a large role in helping the U.S. economy if they are used to ensure that foreign countries cannot manipulate their currency to price U.S. goods out of the market. She endorsed the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the United States and the European Union for giving "our farmers and businesses new and improved access for exports."
"Trade deals need to create a level playing field to benefit Michigan instead of Government trying to pick winners and losers, and thereby allowing foreign corporations to gain unfair advantages," Swift said.
Peters and Land are heading into a competitive general election after winning their party primaries on Tuesday without any major challengers.
They are running to replace outgoing Sen. Carl Levin, who won his 2008 re-election by 30 points. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s Super PAC has dumped millions of dollars into the race, which could play a key role in determining Senate control, despite the state’s reputation as a Democratic stronghold. The polls have tightened in recent weeks with Land trailing Peters by about 5 points, according to Real Clear Politics.