Coalition for a Prosperous America

Coalition for a Prosperous America is a United States nonprofit advocacy organization focused on trade policy, industrial policy, and manufacturing advocacy. It engages with institutions such as the United States Congress, the United States Department of Commerce, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative while interacting with stakeholders including United Steelworkers, AFL–CIO, and corporate actors like General Motors and Boeing. The organization participates in debates involving treaties and accords such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, Trans-Pacific Partnership, and disputes before the World Trade Organization.

History

The organization was established in 2007 amid public debates following the 2008 financial crisis and amid shifts in policy signaled by actors like Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and congressional figures including Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell. Early activity placed it alongside advocacy groups such as Economic Policy Institute, Heritage Foundation, and Cato Institute in contests over tariffs and trade remedies. Its timeline intersects with major events such as the renegotiation of NAFTA into the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, actions by the Trump administration, and legislative initiatives like the Buy American Act and hearings in the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee. The group's staff and board have included figures with past affiliations to organizations including United Steelworkers, Teamsters, and corporate policy units that engaged with firms such as Caterpillar and Whirlpool.

Mission and Positions

The organization advocates for policies intended to promote domestic manufacturing, protect supply chains, and counterbalance trade deficits cited by participants like Larry Kudlow and analysts at Goldman Sachs. It promotes instruments such as tariffs similar to measures employed during periods like the Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act debates, and supports enforcement actions under laws such as the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Trade Act of 1974. Its positions align at times with labor organizations including AFL–CIO and unions represented by Richard Trumka and Leo Gerard, while also contrasting with free trade proponents at institutions like Brookings Institution and National Bureau of Economic Research. The organization comments on trade practices of countries such as China, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, and on policy tools advocated by leaders including Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Organizational Structure and Funding

The group is structured as a nonprofit advocacy entity with an executive team, board of directors, and advisory council drawing members from constituencies including labor unions like United Auto Workers, industrial firms such as 3M, and trade associations like National Association of Manufacturers. It reports fundraising from a mix of individual donors, labor contributions, and corporate supporters, analogous to funding patterns seen at organizations like Americans for Prosperity and Progressive Change Campaign Committee. Its financial activity is subject to disclosure regimes overseen by Internal Revenue Service filings and campaign finance rules administered by the Federal Election Commission when engaging in electoral advocacy. The organization engages with consulting firms and law practices similar to Covington & Burling and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom for policy analysis and litigation support.

Campaigns and Advocacy

Campaigns have targeted legislation and executive actions involving procurement rules such as the Buy American Act and enforcement of antidumping and countervailing duty cases before the International Trade Commission. The organization has run media efforts modeled on advocacy campaigns seen from MoveOn.org and Americans for Tax Reform, employed polling methodologies used by firms like Gallup and Pew Research Center, and filed amicus briefs in disputes before tribunals including the World Trade Organization and the United States Court of International Trade. Notable campaigns have intersected with high-profile corporate disputes involving companies such as Harley-Davidson and Apple Inc., and with legislative fights around bills introduced by lawmakers like Sherrod Brown and Todd Young.

Criticism and Controversies

Critics draw comparisons between the group's protectionist stances and historical protectionist episodes such as responses to the Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act, arguing potential impacts on consumers referenced by studies from National Bureau of Economic Research and Council on Foreign Relations. Opponents include free-trade advocates at organizations like Cato Institute, economists such as Milton Friedman (in historical debates), and business coalitions like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that have pushed back on tariffs championed by the group. Controversies have involved scrutiny over funding transparency similar to disputes that affected groups like Crossroads GPS and questions about coordination with political actors during administrations such as Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Category:Trade associations of the United States Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.