Trans-Pacific Partnership Runs Into Political Opposition

President Obama's intention to sign and ratify the TPP before the end of 2013 "guards" the interests of large U.S. corporations such as Chevron, Halliburton, Monsanto and Walmart according to opposition.

Just in time for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Chief Negotiators summit in Salt Lake City, Utah, last week the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and 151 Democratic members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to President Obama laying out their concerns about the TPP, including a lack of consultation during TPP negotiations and the fast-tracking of such a wide-ranging agreement.

While some feel a free trade agreement between Asian countries and the U.S., Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Mexico would boost trade, investment and job creation in all countries involved, the CWA  and democratic leaders believe the agreement as it stands would be detrimental to manufacturing and service sector jobs, workers’ rights, wages, environmental regulation, food safety, health care, consumer protections and government procurement policies.

The TPP’s opponents claim that only three individuals in each TPP nation have access to the full text of the agreement, while 600 “trade advisers,” which they deem as lobbyists guarding the interests of large U.S. corporations such as Chevron, Halliburton, Monsanto and Walmart, have been granted access to crucial sections of the treaty text. Opponents also worry that the Obama administration is preparing to fast-track the TPP treaty to keep Congress from discussing or amending any parts of the treaty, especially since multiple TPP officials and senior government figures, including President Obama, have declared their intention to sign and ratify the TPP before the end of 2013. To read more, click HERE.

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