This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
TPP, like other destructive trade deals, is being secretly negotiated. Most people never heard of it. Media scoundrels ignore it. Whatever corporations want they support.
TPP was "cleverly misbranded," said Wallach. In 2008, Bush officials initiated discussions. They continue "under the radar." By late 2009, Obama picked up where Bush left off. He backs everything he supported and then some.
He wants virtual total corporate empowerment. "Think of the TPP as a stealthy delivery mechanism for policies that could not survive public scrutiny," said Wallach.
It provides Trojan horse cover for "grandiose new rights and privileges for corporations and permanent constraints on government regulation."
It favors investors at the expense of public health, food safety, clean air and water, sovereign control of resources, land use, energy, and virtually everything else that smells money, power and privileges afforded both.
"The stakes are extremely high because TPP may well be the last 'trade' agreement Washington negotiates." If enacted, other countries can join. If enough do, it'll be a global "NAFTA on steroids."
Member countries will sacrifice national sovereignty. Their laws, regulations and rights will be subordinated to TPP rules. Their use of tax revenues will also be restricted. Buy America and similar national priorities will end.
Rule-breakers will face TPP tribunal lawsuits and sanctions. Corporations will be empowered to sue countries outside their domestic courts. Private sector attorneys will become judges and juries.
TPP is an anti-fair trade measure. Trade is its least important feature. Washington has plenty of deals with other countries. TPP is about raw, unchallenged, supranational corporate power.
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
3
3
2
