The next “trade” treaty will be the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This is a huge treaty with only a small part covering trade. Most of the agreement (according to leaks) sets down a new kind of regulatory structure [what does that mean?] for the giant corporations that would supersede the ability of any country to rein them in. The treaty is being negotiated in secret with only business interests “at the table.” Representatives of others with a stake in the outcome are not part of the process. Groups representing the interests of consumers, labor, human rights, the environment, democracy or even smaller and innovative companies that might want to compete with the giant multinationals are not part of the negotiations.
To bad about the verticals, not to mention the American people, or their elected representatives. CEPR:
Read more at http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/11/the-tpp-if-passed-spells-the-end-of-popular-sovereignty-for-the-united-states.html#YrQ6TY6J5lRtcQTE.99
Of course the TPP is not about free trade, in most cases the formal trade barriers between the countries negotiating the pact are relatively low. The main thrust of the negotiations is to impose a regulator[y] structure in a wide range of areas — health, safety, environmental — which will override national and sub-national rules. This has little to do with trade and in some cases, such as the increased patent protection for prescription drugs being pushed as part of the deal (which is noted in the article), will actually involve increased barriers to trade.
Read more at http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/11/the-tpp-if-passed-spells-the-end-of-popular-sovereignty-for-the-united-states.html#YrQ6TY6J5lRtcQTE.99
The TPP, if Passed, Spells the End of Popular Sovereignty for The United States « naked capitalism
I found this article intriguing, yet I wonder about the accuracy of this leaked information. I think it will be interesting to see what happens with the TPP in the future.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that there hasn't been more scuttle about this in the European press circuit considering that it looks like their corporations would be severely disadvantaged by such bilateral trade agreements they aren't part of.
ReplyDeleteVery curious to see what exactly happens in the future with TPP. After reading this I can't help but think back to the video we watched about how odd all the secrecy is.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely strange how sneaky everyone is acting about this.
Deletethis is very interesting. i am curious to understand what's going to happen in the future as well
ReplyDeleteI'm more worried that they don't want to publicize the agreement until it is final. They say that they are acting in our interest but we aren't the ones in the conversation.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more Colin, I feel that happens a lot too, a lot of people always seem to get left out of the conversation...
DeleteI find it interesting that the "trade" agreement has nothing to do with actual trade.
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