New Balance executives are publicly calling the Trans Pacific Partnership a bad deal for American workers.Executives of the shoe company said they reached a point of frustration and had to speak up about the treatment that workers need and deserve. The Trans Pacific Partnership would eliminate import tariffs, but impose better worker conditions and food safety in other countries.New Balance opposed the trade pact because 25 percent of its shoes are made in the U.S. In 2015, the company agreed to not go public with their sentiments, but asked the U.S. Defense Department to buy shoes made only in the U.S.“There was no quid pro quo deal,” said Rob DeMartini, CEO of New Balance. “We wanted to compete for a big piece of business that we are very confident we can win in.”The DOD stopped returning the company's phone calls, saying that New Balance shoes don't measure up, executives said. “That’s ridiculous,” DeMartini said. “We’ve been in the business for 110 years. We know American workers can make shoes for American soldiers.”DeMartini said that if the Trans Pacific Partnership goes through, New Balance would benefit financially since 75 percent of its shoes are made overseas, but that’s not what’s important to DeMartini.“It’s more important to us about protecting the jobs and know-how in this country than picking up percentage points on what we import," he said. Politicians are campaigning against the pact, but Congress may hold off the vote until after the election. Get the WMTW App9234908

New Balance executives are publicly calling the Trans Pacific Partnership a bad deal for American workers.

Executives of the shoe company said they reached a point of frustration and had to speak up about the treatment that workers need and deserve. The Trans Pacific Partnership would eliminate import tariffs, but impose better worker conditions and food safety in other countries.


New Balance opposed the trade pact because 25 percent of its shoes are made in the U.S. In 2015, the company agreed to not go public with their sentiments, but asked the U.S. Defense Department to buy shoes made only in the U.S.

“There was no quid pro quo deal,” said Rob DeMartini, CEO of New Balance. “We wanted to compete for a big piece of business that we are very confident we can win in.”

The DOD stopped returning the company's phone calls, saying that New Balance shoes don't measure up, executives said.

“That’s ridiculous,” DeMartini said. “We’ve been in the business for 110 years. We know American workers can make shoes for American soldiers.”

DeMartini said that if the Trans Pacific Partnership goes through, New Balance would benefit financially since 75 percent of its shoes are made overseas, but that’s not what’s important to DeMartini.

“It’s more important to us about protecting the jobs and know-how in this country than picking up percentage points on what we import," he said.

Politicians are campaigning against the pact, but Congress may hold off the vote until after the election.



