For too long, debates over international trade have been dominated by corporate elites and economic ideologues, rather than rooted in the experiences of ordinary Americans. 

The Trade Stories Project allows people who have been affected by policies and institutions like NAFTA and the WTO to share their views on a matter crucial to the global economy. 

This includes displaced workers, farmers, small business owners and immigrants who have been typically excluded from the trade debate.

Howard Jenkins

Portland, OR

Howard worked as a janitor at the Freightliner Truck Plant in Portland, Oregon until laid off during a shift in production under NAFTA in 2007. 

“It's really a sad situation for everybody. Not only just the people that work at Freightliner, but people that work all over that deal with parts that Freightliner uses. They are affected by it."