TPP is ...
Despite efforts to keep the deal out of public view, leaks have occurred that have led to concern and more questions.
People in the U.S. and across the globe increasingly believe they have a right to know how the TPP will affect them.
There is even one significant issue that hasn't been addressed yet : Currency manipulation
Why would such a major matter, with strong bipartisan support, be pushed aside? Because there is increasing desperation to reach an agreement. Negotiators know they are in a race against time. As more details are secretly leaked about how the deal will affect workers and consumers, opposition is rising. Trade officials are suffering for engaging in a closed process.
The latest leaks show the U.S. is pushing forward with policies that further investor privileges and investor-state dispute settlement that expose our laws to foreign tribunals. They also expand incentives to move more U.S. jobs abroad, hurting hard-working Americans who are already paying the price for previous financial policy disasters. Meanwhile, enforceable labor and environmental standards remain unresolved. And efforts to rein in unfair subsidies for state-owned entities like New Zealand's dairy industry remain undone.
The Teamsters set out key fair trade objectives for the TPP three years ago that we believed the proposed trade deal had to meet to earn our support. They are:
>> Protect workers' rights through a strong labor chapter;
>> Protect the environment through a strong environmental chapter;
>> Protect American investors in the investment chapter - no "investor-state" dispute resolution;
>> Protect food safety and family farmers; and
>> Allow for "Buy American" government purchasing rules in the procurement chapter
Well, we're not there yet. Or shall I say, we don't know if we're there yet.
(James P. Hoffa)
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