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.

Mike Fassler

Roseburg, OR

Mike lost his eight-year job at Roseburg Forest Products in southern Oregon due to competition from imports, an now works as an independent contractor doing kitchen and bathroom remodeling.

“We were given the opportunity to go through the unemployment office for [retraining benefits]. I thought it was limited on what you were allowed to retrain in, from what I'd like to have seen done. I don't know that it was managed all that well. It was a lot of money thrown out there to people with limited options. So it was a 'either do this or don't get any benefits' type of thing."