Manzullo defends NAFTA support

When it comes to keeping manufacturing jobs in the United States, the Democratic challenger in the race for the 16th Congressional District says his opponent's support of foreign trade agreements and treaties -- such as the North American Fair Trade Agreement -- has let thousands of jobs get shipped overseas.

George Gaulrapp, the mayor of Freeport, says incumbent Don Manzullo -- a Republican from Egan -- has done little in his long tenure to maintain jobs in the United States.

"He talks a good talk, but what has he done to keep jobs here?" Gaulrapp said. "He supports trade agreements that don't favor the United States. NAFTA is terrible for manufacturing and has let thousands of jobs go overseas. It benefits every other country except the USA."

But Manzullo, who was first elected in 1992 to represent the district that includes part of McHenry County and much of the rest of the northern end of the state, said Gaulrapp misunderstands how treaties and trade agreements benefit the country and the local economy.

Manzullo said NAFTA opened the door for foreign trade, including the export of vehicles like those built at the Chrysler plant in Belvidere.

"Before NAFTA you could ship zero cars to Mexico," Manzullo said. "After NAFTA, you could ship as many cars as you want ... In June, we shipped 1,000 cars to Mexico. About 45 percent of the cars built at Belvidere are exported. We are one of the largest exporting districts in the country."

Gaulrapp proposed incentives to keep manufacturing jobs in the country and to reward companies for retaining American jobs.

"Corporations that expand or retain jobs in the U. S should be rewarded with tax cuts," Gaulrapp said during an interview with members of the Daily Herald's editorial board. "Companies and manufacturers that purchase machinery that makes a company more competitive should be rewarded with tax cuts."

Manzullo said those ideas are already in effect.

"I helped change the tax law that makes it possible for companies that manufacture in the U.S. to save 9 percent on taxes," Manzullo said, referring to the Foreign Sales Corporation/Extra Territorial Income Tax bill. "That has saved thousands of jobs in this country."