"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.
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.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he does not support fast-track authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, on the same day that a new poll reveals the extent of public opposition to the trade deal.
The president of TransAfrica explains why the fight against the Trans-Pacific Partnership warrants the involvement of all people who care about racism, economic justice and human rights.
The idea is to penalize countries and companies that try to win a competitive advantage in the marketplace by paying subpar wages, allowing unsafe working conditions or escaping compliance with environmental regulations.
A largely anonymous group of officials late last week wanted their work on the Trans-Pacific Partnership – often described as “NAFTA on steroids” – out of the spotlight. But a small group of activists put a spotlight on the negotiations.