Consumers for World Trade
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This article is part of the Center for Media & Democracy's spotlight on front groups and corporate spin. |
According to its website Consumers for World Trade claims to be "a network of consumers who believe that reducing and eliminating trade barriers between nations leads to economic stability, ensures a better quality of life for all people, and reduces consumer costs while providing more marketplace choices. CWT is committed to the multi-lateral trade process embodied by the World Trade Organization. In addition, we encourage consumer activism in support of trade expanding policies and in opposition to trade reducing policies that unfairly protect special interests at the expense of consumer choice and price."[1]
They are strong supporters of NAFTA and the WTO and frequently testify before Congress as a "national non-profit, non-partisan organization." They hold joint press conferences with groups like Citizens for a Sound Economy and Consumer Alert, among others, which they promote along with themselves as consumer-oriented groups.
Contents
The PR Behind the 'Citizens Group
The website of CWT was registered on July 17, 1997 by Robin Lanier from Alliance Management Group.[2] On its website, Alliance Management Group states that it "provides full management services to Consumers for World Trade -- a citizen's group dedicated to keeping markets open. We provide meeting planning services, web services, data services, board governance and government relations services to this client. Using web technologies, Alliance Management Group has helped CWT generate emailed communications on issues like steel protection and lowering import tariffs."[3]
Personnel
Office Bearers
- Maureen Smith, President
- Lewis Leibowitz, Vice President
- Sarah Thorn, Secretary
- Jonathan Gold, Treasurer
Other Board Members
- Sam Gibbons - Washington, DC
- Frank X. Kelly - N. Bergen, NJ
- Stephen E. Lamar - Arlington, VA
- Maureen Smith - Washington, DC
- Russell Smith - Washington, DC
- Sarah Thorn - Washington, DC
- David Palmeter - Washington, DC
- Will Berry - Washington, DC
Former Staff
- Robin W. Lanier Executive Director
Funding
CWT is a 501(c)(4) organization and files an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ. [1]. The EIN no is 52-1107962
Contact Information
Consumers for World Trade
1707 L Street NW Suite 570
Washington DC 20036
United States
Phone: 202-293-2944
Fax: 202-293-0495
Email:Chris AT cwt.org
Web: http://www.cwt.org
Articles and Resources
Sources
- ↑ "Guiding Principles", accessed March 2008.
- ↑ Consumers for World Trade", Joker.com, accessed March 2008.
- ↑ "Clients, Alliance Management Group, accessed March 2008.
