"Words that make actions speak louder."
The Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership has provisions similar to the those in the Trans-Pacific Partnership that would allow multinationals to sue governments in a special trade court.
The effort is now on to defeat this treaty in Congress, with labor, consumer, environmental and health care organizations united in their opposition based on the text released Thursday.
“This is a day of celebration in the corporate suites,” said Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown after the vote – and a day to resolve to replace Wall Street-beholden members of Congress with true representatives of the people’s interests.
Few believed that the anti-fast-track coalition had much of a chance against the big moneyed interests lined up on the other side. We showed the power of people when they make their voice heard.
Economist Jared Bernstein disagrees with the administration’s decision to not address currency manipulation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement being negotiated with 11 other trading partners.
The list is part of a letter the organization sent to Congress urging members to oppose the fast-track bill sponsored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
Another reason to oppose fast-tracking the Trans-Pacific Partnership: The struggle in towns like Ferguson, Mo., to overcome racial and economic barriers is hard enough without another wrong-headed trade pact.