NAFTA Renegotiation Requires Innovative Progressive Response

Trump’s unexpected victory has disrupted progressive strategies to dominate this period, but no area has been disrupted more than trade. No other area leaves progressives more uncertain on their message and how to proceed. No other area will require as new and distinctive a strategic messaging platform – and that is true immediately, and in the medium and long term. Trump’s NAFTA renegotiation will trigger a renewed debate about American trade policy. Progressives are presently unprepared to win that war of words. The failure to prioritize effective messaging on these issues could also have dire political consequences beyond the imminent NAFTA fight.