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.

Linda Foster 

& Leslie Taylor

Bellefontaine, OH

Linda and Leslie both worked at the Seimens plant in Bellefontaine before it moved its operations to Mexico under NAFTA.  Linda had already relocated when their Marysville plant closed, and again when their Urbana plant threatened to close, losing seniority both times.  Leslie had worked at the Bellefontaine plant just one month shy of fifteen years.

LINDA: “You're doing your best and you're giving them what they want, and it's still not good enough.  It's a hard pill to swallow.  Being a good worker doesn't mean squat, and that's sad.

"I think you have an obligation to society when you go into business that you're going to respect the community and your workers.  And I don't feel Seimens did that... You work all those years for your credit and your home and it tears your guts out."

LESLIE:  "I didn't think I'd be this age and have to think about what I wanted to be when I grew up... I'll probably have to file for bankruptcy."