A People's report on trade and inequality

---

In early 2025, the Trump administration continued its pattern of attacks on working people, migrants, and the planet by abruptly canceling a long-overdue investigation into the unequal impacts of trade policy. This decision was more than bureaucratic—it was a deliberate effort to silence the voices of communities most harmed by our trade rules and to shield corporate interests from public scrutiny.

In response, the Washington Fair Trade Coalition convened a People’s Hearing on Trade and Inequality to ensure those voices would still be heard. Dozens of union members, migrant justice advocates, environmental leaders, public health workers, and impacted community members from across the country testified. The hearing made clear that trade policy isn’t just about economic numbers—it’s about lives, communities, and the urgent need for justice. Your can watch the hearing here.

This report reflects testimony gathered during the 2025 People’s Hearing on Trade and Inequality.