Critics of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency about the deal. President Obama said that this deal would increase USA goods exports by at least $10 billion and support 70,000 U.S.jobs due to the increased exports.
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According to the Federal Register, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced December 28 that it “is seeking public comments on the impact of the TPP Agreement on U.S. employment, including labor markets”.
But now that the text has been agreed upon by the 12 parties, what needs to happen before US exporters can enjoy the fruits of these laborious negotiations?
The massive agreement drew enough opposition in Congress that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY.) warned the Obama administration not to send the trade deal to Capitol Hill until after the 2016 elections.
After the 12 members of the TPP pact reached a broad consensus on the trade deal in October 2015, the ministers responsible for the agreement will meet in either the United States or New Zealand to sign the document on TPP this February.
“Trade deals shouldn’t value corporate profits over national interests”, he wrote.
Our government is yet to confirm the signing will take place here.
The keynote speaker will be the director of the Washington-based Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, Lori Wallach.
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TPP is no more than a flimflam agreement written by and for corporations that will lead to greater erosion of our middle class. The “significant effect that free trade agreements have … on the success of our workers” touted by Taylor and Mather is nothing more than blowing smoke. In 18 previous cases where suits were filed against the U.S., Schinfeld said, the U.S. has not lost a case. Duty minister Simon Bridges said “arrangements for the signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership are not yet confirmed, as a number of countries are still working through their domestic approval processes required before signature”.
