Some good news on a sunny Saturday morning. But they'll try to revive it, because the greed of the corporate class and their purchased politicians knows no bounds.
2
This TPP is just nuts... how will they even begin to enforce the
environmental provisions, not
to mention any of the rest?
Trying to capture unicorns in a magic bag of giant holes.
And then there are the
"Extra judicial tribunals "...
Say what? How ominous sounding!
Time to reread 1984.
... Maeve
environmental provisions, not
to mention any of the rest?
Trying to capture unicorns in a magic bag of giant holes.
And then there are the
"Extra judicial tribunals "...
Say what? How ominous sounding!
Time to reread 1984.
... Maeve
3
The longer these talks remain disintegrated, the longer our jobs remain ours. This trade deal represents an unprecedented injury to American jobs and American industry at a time when we have yet to fully recover from previous trauma. Add to that the assured escalation of prescription drug prices, the undoubted extirpation of some of the most fragile ecosystems in the world, the certain extinction of already threatened species within those ecosystems, and an indisputable slackening of FDA food quality standards and we can only hope that the leaders of these other countries continue to demur. Our best and strongest hope is that the trade deal remains in limbo until we can elect an Executive power with enough sense, and a concentrated ear to the people, to toss the TPP where it belongs. Unfortunately, as corporate moneys steadily trickle into the Clinton campaign I am afraid that they speak their agendas much more loudly than her working class constituents.
4
The TPP should more accurately be called the "Stop China" bill. At a recent RAND conference I heard a string of heavy-hitter Japanese guests ever so tactfully clarify the intent.
In the photo accompanying this article the representatives at the TPP meeting casually pose without the customary suit and tie and with theirr shirts hanging out. How easily they have caught on to the aloha spirit of their Hawaiian locale. Alighting their planes were they greeted with the traditional leis which were draped around their necks by the Hawaii natives? Did they succumb to the pleasure of sipping on an Hawaiian maitai complete with a piece of pineapple and one of those hokey paper umbrellas? We're all human, aren't we?Who could ever guess they hold the fate of the world in their hands? One is reminded of the first time white men settled on these shores. How innocently the Hawaiians greeted those who would one day take away their sovereignty and their land. Now history repeats itself or follows its fated arc as these new arrivals threaten the future of the world.
3
Again, the world can do, what the US people cannot. I remember when there was the push for bombing of Syria, and America was ready to go, until the ENGLISH Parliament voted no, it was only then that the US gained the courage to say no.
The American people are locked in a totally contrived paradigm of right vs left, while those in power do as they will. We are certainly not a democracy, in that our government in no way acts in accord with the will of the American people. In America the government ruled by corporations set about to "educate" (manipulate the American people to do as the powers that be want, it is indeed a case of the tail wagging the dog.
TPP exemplifies the indifference Washington has for the will of the people.
The American people are locked in a totally contrived paradigm of right vs left, while those in power do as they will. We are certainly not a democracy, in that our government in no way acts in accord with the will of the American people. In America the government ruled by corporations set about to "educate" (manipulate the American people to do as the powers that be want, it is indeed a case of the tail wagging the dog.
TPP exemplifies the indifference Washington has for the will of the people.
4
Big Pharma wanted to continue their shakedown in other countries. America wan't enough.
5
We persistently run a trade deficit. It is important to protect areas where we have an advantage. More and more that area is intellectual property. Hard to understand why the left is so opposed to protection of drug patents. Do away with them and we lose more jobs and run a trade deficit. On the other hand, it is time for us to give up on our sugar protections, Canada to give up on dairy protections, and Japan to give up on rice and beef protections. This nostalgia for farm industry over manufacturing and white collar is silly. In addition, sugar is hardly family farm.
I do not see the problem. Japan has always protected rice and everyone should respect that. Rice is their lifeblood and with a limited amount of land they cannot afford to have any riceland lost to foreign competition. A full compliment of riceland is their national asset for survival if they ever have an embargo on rice for some unforeseen circumstance.
As for the other countries that have their sticking point based on a national interest, I would accept it. Surprisingly, we may get our sticking points also.
As for the other countries that have their sticking point based on a national interest, I would accept it. Surprisingly, we may get our sticking points also.
1
The TPP is all about big business and void of average human concern. I don't know why Obama is so adamant about its success. Is he that afraid of China or is he so deep in the pocket of big business that he can't see his way out? If the Republicans are pushing it, why isn't he giving it a second thought?
2
TPP appears designed to unleash greed. Thus, it is not surprising that discrete interests, e.g., Japanese greed for whale, are impeding the negotiation for a sharing of the spoils from the legalized exploitation.
In other words, greed is doing what greed does.
"Money, it's a crime,
Share it fairly, but don't take a slice of my pie."
-- Pink Floyd
Let's hope the vultures eat this deal instead of us.
In other words, greed is doing what greed does.
"Money, it's a crime,
Share it fairly, but don't take a slice of my pie."
-- Pink Floyd
Let's hope the vultures eat this deal instead of us.
3
So the pharma corporations are bent on doing to the rest of the world what they've done to us--charging insane prices for drugs, especially cancer drugs that people have to have--and other nations look at that and say no. The excuse that they're "recouping costs of development" is a lie. They spend more on advertising than on R&D. They're piling up huge profits and the investors and CEOs are happy-dancing all the way to the bank. And this corporate globe-grab is just one of the ways this trade deal will harm the world.
6
Interesting how Clinton uses the excuse of being too close to the Keystone Pipeline review process to avoid taking a position, and then uses the excuse of not being involved in TPP negotiations to avoid taking a position. Can't have it both ways.
5
When TPP passes, millions of new jobs will be sent to low wage labor markets in Asia, US families and communities will be devastated and regulations will be gutted. There will be no budget for enforcement of the provisions, no penalties for violators. Corporations will be trusted to self-regulate.
However, because the outrageous profits of the rich have been carefully preserved, we are told that it's all good.
However, because the outrageous profits of the rich have been carefully preserved, we are told that it's all good.
6
So all the fighting in Congress about fast-track was for nothing?
It does not seem like any of the issues under debate are irresolvable through harder negotiation and the mutual recognition of the greater collective interest. Once Canada's Stephen Harper is either defeated or confirmed in power more securely than at this particular moment, the dairy-poultry stonewall should be bridgeable.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
www.endthemadnessnow.org
1
I don't get why this is a defeat for Obama. You can't negotiate an agreement unless everyone agrees. It would have been disturbing is if he supported a bad agreement just to get a deal.
3
This is good for the United States and for both US companies and workers. We have learned from NAFTA that free trade keeps our consumer prices lower than they would otherwise be; but that advantage comes at great cost to our workers and a good deal of cost to US producers. Cars that should be readily produceable in the US for US consumers are built in Mexico and Canada. We lose those jobs and companies have to spend far more capital duplicating every element of plants to build products.
The same holds true for other products as well. Japan seldom lives by the trade deals it makes with the US. While they do lower tariffs, they then increase inspection barriers. Same with China altho they are not part of TPP.
The communist government of Vietnam an expected party to TPP has NEVER shown itself to be trustworthy to it's South Vietnam citizens and should not be trusted here. Worker exploitation in S Asia is a constant occurrence and should not be rewarded as it would be under TPP. In addition, this entire deal is totally indefensible because it has been done IN SECRET. Whoever heard of negotiating trade using classified documents. I think Pres Obama is our greatest President since Eisenhower but he was totally wrong on TPP.
The same holds true for other products as well. Japan seldom lives by the trade deals it makes with the US. While they do lower tariffs, they then increase inspection barriers. Same with China altho they are not part of TPP.
The communist government of Vietnam an expected party to TPP has NEVER shown itself to be trustworthy to it's South Vietnam citizens and should not be trusted here. Worker exploitation in S Asia is a constant occurrence and should not be rewarded as it would be under TPP. In addition, this entire deal is totally indefensible because it has been done IN SECRET. Whoever heard of negotiating trade using classified documents. I think Pres Obama is our greatest President since Eisenhower but he was totally wrong on TPP.
5
Great comments here but how does anyone actually know what is being discussed at these talks since the details are secret. I suspect this is a puff piece light on facts and long on "tell 'em what they want to hear" For instance; "And they agreed on a code of conduct and rules against conflicts of interest for arbitrators who would serve on extrajudicial tribunals to hear complaints from companies about whether their investments were unfairly damaged by government actions" or "Australia, Chile and New Zealand also continue to resist the push by the United States to protect the intellectual property of major pharmaceutical companies for as long as 12 years, shielding them from generic competition" What code of conduct and push for higher drug prices? Ah yep, good deal for Wall Street…
4
The Times pro-corp coverage of the TPP is far less interesting than the well informed commenters here who understand that this is a giveaway to the elites. And what about a photo instead of the hundreds anti TPP demonstrators on the beaches below the meeting?
7
The TPP is a "treaty" that brings the idea of "When Corporations Rule the World" much closer to reality. The chapter on ISDS (Investor-State-Dispute-Resolution) is incredibly dangerous, as it challenges the sovereignty of countries and provinces within those countries to a very opaque legal process wherein corporations can sue countries for laws that lead to loss of some of their revenue.
More U.S. jobs would end up in places like Vietnam and Malaysia.
We would all be preyed on by Big Pharma, but the U.S. is also pushing for extension of copyright laws, moving them from 50 years after an author dies to 120 years, in many cases stifling research, and slowing down the availability of materials (and their digitization) through library systems.
And one of the shocking parts of this is that if it weren't for WikiLeaks most of us wouldn't know what some of the chapters of the TPP deal with, such as the ISDS.
As long as the TPP is secret, and as long as it can only be viewed in one room of the Capitol, we should all realize that it's bad for the American people. A good trade agreement should be able to see the light of day and at least most of it read and understood by any American citizen.
It's shocking that the Obama Administration is pushing this deal. Is this payback for something? If the TPP becomes Obama's legacy, we, along with the citizens in the other TPP countries. will all end up cursing his name,
More U.S. jobs would end up in places like Vietnam and Malaysia.
We would all be preyed on by Big Pharma, but the U.S. is also pushing for extension of copyright laws, moving them from 50 years after an author dies to 120 years, in many cases stifling research, and slowing down the availability of materials (and their digitization) through library systems.
And one of the shocking parts of this is that if it weren't for WikiLeaks most of us wouldn't know what some of the chapters of the TPP deal with, such as the ISDS.
As long as the TPP is secret, and as long as it can only be viewed in one room of the Capitol, we should all realize that it's bad for the American people. A good trade agreement should be able to see the light of day and at least most of it read and understood by any American citizen.
It's shocking that the Obama Administration is pushing this deal. Is this payback for something? If the TPP becomes Obama's legacy, we, along with the citizens in the other TPP countries. will all end up cursing his name,
8
What is the value to society of helping drug companies produce more and more highly effective drugs that almost no one can afford to buy no matter how desperate they are - drugs that insurance executives struggle mightily to avoid having to pay for? How did we develop a polio vaccine in the 50's that prevented paralysis for millions of our children and made it available to everyone for free? How?
6
And as was stated in the NYT a few weeks ago the tobacco interests plan to sue under the TPP to force countries like the Philippines to back down from trying to enforce no smoking provisions to improve their citizens' health. The TPP is all about corporate interests, the environment and citizens' health and rights be damned.
6
Could it be that suddenly there is a God to rescue us from this whole rotten deal? We certainly couldn't depend on Obama or Congress or our entire political system to do the right thing, but Australia, Chile, and New Zealand--?! Wonders never cease.
5
Frankly, I could'nt be happier. The countries that did not compromise are the ones taking care of their own, the well-being of their own citizens, protecting their interests first and foremost. Sadly, our citizens become dispensable while the corporations thrive with tax havens and getting cheap labor. We should realize that when the Republicans support Obama, then Obama is WRONG.
6
TPP is inseparable from Obama's Pacific-first strategy, the containment, isolation, etc., of China, in sum, ratcheting up the Cold War. Why ignore the geopolitical-military implications of the effort? NYT owes its readers a more comprehensive account, factoring in the battle-carrier groups, long-range bombers, and other "assets" transferred to the region.
Environmental factors are a clever way of disguising the hard-nosed war planning involved, misinterpreting Obama's record, worse than his predecessors, on intervention, aggressive market ploys, and favoritism shown corporations.
Environmental factors are a clever way of disguising the hard-nosed war planning involved, misinterpreting Obama's record, worse than his predecessors, on intervention, aggressive market ploys, and favoritism shown corporations.
2
Thanks, Norman - at least ONE comment agrees that it's all about stopping China.
The substance of this article seems good, and it sounds like the normal give and take of any negotiation. What fascinates me is why you choose to characterize this as being about Obama's failure instead of what it is? Do you think that is a way to get Obama haters to read the article, or what?
2
TPP is now beginning to unfold for the US people to begin too see what is and has been happening with this Agreement.Everyone of the chapters will be scrutinized and needs to be scrutinized by Congress.
One example that comes to mind to look into is food labeling and how it is being and will be done if this TPP passes.The World Trade Organiztion just recently decided in favor with Mexico and Canada over the origins of beef.Mexico and Canada can get beef from any where in the world the chose and then in turn export to the US with a stamp 'processed in Mexico' or the like.American Laws on have already been over ridden by the WTO.The point is that our US Food Labeling Laws will and are going to go by the wayside.They will no longer have an effect.American Corporations want no such labeling,I DO! Even though they are American Laws!This example is what is going to happen in every chapter of this Agreement in every business from food to computers, medicines ,state owned businesses,farming,fishing,copy rights,interstate disputes settlements courts,ect.Read what Phillip Morris is doing to Australia smoking packaging laws just another example and there will be others and the America of today will not be tomorrow.And there are so many other examples world wide between all the countries involved in all these trade acts.
Glad to see this beginning.Hopefully the downside will continue.Hopefully the TTIP goes this way.I do not want to live in a Corporate ruled and owned world. DO YOU?
One example that comes to mind to look into is food labeling and how it is being and will be done if this TPP passes.The World Trade Organiztion just recently decided in favor with Mexico and Canada over the origins of beef.Mexico and Canada can get beef from any where in the world the chose and then in turn export to the US with a stamp 'processed in Mexico' or the like.American Laws on have already been over ridden by the WTO.The point is that our US Food Labeling Laws will and are going to go by the wayside.They will no longer have an effect.American Corporations want no such labeling,I DO! Even though they are American Laws!This example is what is going to happen in every chapter of this Agreement in every business from food to computers, medicines ,state owned businesses,farming,fishing,copy rights,interstate disputes settlements courts,ect.Read what Phillip Morris is doing to Australia smoking packaging laws just another example and there will be others and the America of today will not be tomorrow.And there are so many other examples world wide between all the countries involved in all these trade acts.
Glad to see this beginning.Hopefully the downside will continue.Hopefully the TTIP goes this way.I do not want to live in a Corporate ruled and owned world. DO YOU?
4
It seems clear that President Obama was elected twice with strings attached as is the reality now for every politician. He must be seen fighting for this odious deal, that is the bed he made with corporate supporters. That any politician should try to sell the American people on Trade Deals seems disrespectful. Based on what historical measure would you sell such a destructive construct? All of the training and education in the country won't help American workers forced to align their standards with China! If Trade Deals were any other product they would be recalled and forever serve as cautionary labor and economic tales.
6
Well, Big Pharma lobbyists prevail again. Can't be putting those gargantuan profit margins in jeopardy, can we?
5
All the folks complaining at the top of their lungs about "Big Pharma" need to ask how they propose to pay for all that very expensive R&D without strong patent protection. Drugs don't develop themselves; it takes a lot of work from scarce, highly-skilled researchers. We hear constant exhortations for more graduates (debt-laden graduates, at that) to enter STEM fields; so how are you going to incentivize the to do that? By creating some kind of government "DARPA for pharma"? Perhaps, but that agency will be competing against the private sector, and if a government salary is the best that's on offer, some of those STEM graduates will move into creating the next iPhone app. (Now, I do agree that American consumers shoudn't be bearing the costs of pharma R&D alone.) Everyone bemoans low teacher pay; most teachers are public-sector employees. Financial incentives do matter when recruiting highly skilled employees, and the "Big Pharma" crowd needs to tell us how they propose to finance those incentives while weakening patent protection.
1
Why do US consumers have to bear the brunt of paying for pharmaceutical development? Prices here exceed the rest of the world by far. The US patent code already give pharma huge breaks, for example patent extensions, that no other industry enjoys. The same capitalists who go on and on about free competition, argue that drug companies deserve to be monopolies.
4
"...all that expensive R&D.." Friend, do a little research on how much of that "expensive R&D" that Big Pharma loves to cry about is actually subsidized by the American taxpayer under various disguises.
2
This generic, if you'll forgive the pun, excuse for industry greed simply won't fly among people who know better. Big pharma is by no means in a position to poor-mouth us.
"Last year, US giant Pfizer, the world's largest drug company by pharmaceutical revenue, made an eye-watering 42% profit margin. As one industry veteran understandably says: 'I wouldn't be able to justify [those kinds of margins].'"
"Last year, five pharmaceutical companies made a profit margin of 20% or more - Pfizer, Hoffmann-La Roche, AbbVie, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Eli Lilly.
And the talk about how gee, it costs so dang much to develop these drugs?
"Drug companies spend far more on marketing drugs - in some cases twice as much - than on developing them. And besides, profit margins take into account R&D costs."
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28212223
More people know the truth about these things every day, and considering that our and our loved ones lives are at stake, we cannot allow the gouging to continue. Kudos to those nations who won't let this rot spread to their lands.
"Last year, US giant Pfizer, the world's largest drug company by pharmaceutical revenue, made an eye-watering 42% profit margin. As one industry veteran understandably says: 'I wouldn't be able to justify [those kinds of margins].'"
"Last year, five pharmaceutical companies made a profit margin of 20% or more - Pfizer, Hoffmann-La Roche, AbbVie, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Eli Lilly.
And the talk about how gee, it costs so dang much to develop these drugs?
"Drug companies spend far more on marketing drugs - in some cases twice as much - than on developing them. And besides, profit margins take into account R&D costs."
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28212223
More people know the truth about these things every day, and considering that our and our loved ones lives are at stake, we cannot allow the gouging to continue. Kudos to those nations who won't let this rot spread to their lands.
1
TPP includes the most outrageous loss of national sovereignty to corporate greed and the decimation of labor rights in modern history. Every country should have the right to kick out a corporation that reeks havoc on its people and natural resources solely for profit. Every country should protect the rights of labor overs the corporations that persistently undermine the quality of life of all but 2% of the people. Corporations should never be allowed a seat at a government negotiations when their aims are fixed on more profit fueled by insatiable greed rather than the welfare of a nation and its people. Corporations today have become anti-humane and pro human trafficking as a means to an end: more profits accompanied by higher and higher human collateral damage.
6
From the very first, when Pres. Obama declared his intent to fast-track the TPP, I knew... I just KNEW... he had an ulterior motive. It was simply unlike his basic values to hand the global corporate elite this victory over the American people and our need to protect jobs and resources. His strategy was genius. Sacrificing himself, appearing to be a 'loser', was his tactic to derail the efforts of the avaricious. And he was victorious. Thank you, President Obama. You are a brilliant thinker, but I knew all along what you were up to. Vaya con dios.
2
In the old days, each country worked a trade deal with another country - individually. What is the need for a multi-country trade deal?
If a country imposed a tax or a tariff on a product from the US, we turned around an imposed a tax or tariff on a product from them.
A simple way to run things.
If a country imposed a tax or a tariff on a product from the US, we turned around an imposed a tax or tariff on a product from them.
A simple way to run things.
1
Finally some good news at the tail end of a depressing week.
1
It is unfortunate, this TPP is about "trickle down" multinational corporate welfare.
4
It seems from USA point of view the major issue is twelve year patent for pharmaceuticals. Is that what this is all about to fight for protection of one industry which is overcharging its own citizens and now want to extend its greed of exuberant profits to rest of the world? Five year patent is more than reasonable to recoup costs and reasonable profits and at the same time save our and the citizens of the world from undue burden medical costs.
3
the bland tone of the author does a disservice to the millions of americans who've worked passionately against this bill. we're sick of offshoring jobs to mexico and the pathologies that have resulted here. why not quote at least one legitimate critic of the tpp?
4
Why is there only one woman in the photo of the key negotiators of the TPP?
No wonder the TPP is such a mess and puts corporate demands over the needs of millions of people.
No wonder the TPP is such a mess and puts corporate demands over the needs of millions of people.
3
bad news for POTUS
Good news for the American worker and middle-class.
May it fail forever.
Good news for the American worker and middle-class.
May it fail forever.
"The trade ministers, who gathered at luxury hotels in Maui" says it all. The whole conference is about protections for corporations and backed by political lobbyists vying for privileges against the ordinary citizens of their respective nations.
As soon as this deal is considered absolutely dead, The US should declare ourselves an underdeveloped manufacturing country, and bring back manufacturing plants and jobs from Asia to refill our hollowed industries, by any ethical and legal means available. Make American companies manufacture here. Make foreign companies who sell here, make at least 25% of product here, make ships and trains here, make solar panels, wind turbines here. And then negotiate.
1
This could hurt. Now there may little or nothing to stop Chinese hegemony in the Pacific rim. Not good for the US.
Hey! You figured out the real purpose of TPP. Stop China!
The U.S. negotiators are working for the American People? Guess again! They are diligently working for the mega corporate giants who will in turn reward said "negotiators" -- and possibly former U.S. Presidents by funding "think tanks" paying lavish salaries and perks to the negotiators who do their bidding.
3
I really don't care about rice, dairy, or sugar. I care about pharmaceuticals and other issues that will be of primary concern to most Americans. If we can't get safer, cheaper, more innovative drugs, what good is it? I'm not distracted by these silly mall potatoes. I didn't want this damnable agreement, anyway. I won't help me, or my fellow bottom 50 percenters, one little bit.
1
That should be really good new for working Americans!
One needs to understand what is important. When World War II started, many drug patents were held by German companies. So naturally, their subsidiaries in the US were unwilling to manufacture drugs covered by those patents. After all while a World War might be serious, a drug patent is sacred. When offered a waiver, the companies demurred. The US Government had to seize them. This is why there was a Schering A.G. and a Schering-Plough.
1
I couldn't help but be amused by the quote from the environmental chapter referring to long-term conservation of “iconic marine species such as whales and sharks". Who gets to decide if something is "iconic"? How is that even defined? Pity the poor non-iconic marine species, I guess everybody can continue to dredge them up by the millions. This is what happens to a species when the environmental organizations don't use your picture on their fund raising appeals, I suspect...
1
The title (yea!!) promises more than the text delivers.
It appears that many horrible clauses might have been agreed to.
Hopefully, there is substantial resistance to clauses that degrade workers' rights, toxic work environment, and allow corporations (big tobacco, goo producers, etc) to override national laws aimed at protecting citizens from harm.
Please, please, may it fail (and not return).
Please...
It appears that many horrible clauses might have been agreed to.
Hopefully, there is substantial resistance to clauses that degrade workers' rights, toxic work environment, and allow corporations (big tobacco, goo producers, etc) to override national laws aimed at protecting citizens from harm.
Please, please, may it fail (and not return).
Please...
4
Quite the world we live in where corporations can now "sue" foreign countries in regards to the laws those countries enact. Wow!
3
It appears that the TPP too is going the Doha way of protracted trade talks pitting the IPR and other issues giving trade advantage to the developed economies against those primary export products crucial to the less developed ones.
1
The correct description of these trade talks is that they are benefiting billion dollar corproate at the expense of humans. The TPP like those before it isn't designed to help humans it is designed to protect and increase corproate profits. Human rights aren't even on the table but don't worry they are protecting the wild life. That is not meant to diminish the importance of protecting wild life but what about the humans? Save the humans. Fight TPP!
2
A note to those dissing President Obama for pushing to get the TPP approved: The President of the United States, whoever he or she is, has to deal with "what is". Right now the "what is" means BIG money is calling the shots. WE can change that with OUR votes by getting rid of all ALEC/Koch brothers/Wall Street/u.s.chamber of commerce/radical religious right/nra/major media Corporate Conglomerate BIG democracy-destroying money operatives in government at every level in America in the next elections. To expect one person - the President - to change everything only works in dictatorships and/or middle ages "king" time - not in a democracy. It's up to US.
7
so, Obama is a pawn of the Koch Brothers? Do you really believe that, or do you need to say something, anything, to defend the President while trashing the 1% that I take it you are not fond of?
The President does NOT have to cave into big money interests! What a cop out. It is his duty to balance those interests and protect the humans. He continues to side with big money and the corporations against humans and democracy. This is on him. This is his deal. fight TPP.
3
No one is expecting Obama to change "everythong." One would have hoped he would be less of a lackey for big pharma and corporatism. Where do corporations get off designing what amounts to a bill of rights for themselves without input from Congress who can vote only up or down? What happened to advise and consent? Isn't it odd that only Republicans want this bill? Yet Obama would make it his chief legacy? Of what? Rampant corporatism? Thank God for the resistance of Australia, Chile, and New Zealand to this rotten deal.They are doing what our own leaders refuse to do.
3
This is the first and only factual article to date I've seen published by main stream media that educates us, the taxpayers and voters, to what exactly
we are supposed to be agreeing to, or alternately, fighting against with this disappointingly shadowy TPP 'agreement'. Then, when we finally do get at least some crumbs of information trickled down to us, we find out why the information water tap runneth so dry... this agreement is essentially a huge
corporate BiG Ag, BiG Pharma free-for-all giveaway, instead of a thoughtful and balanced long term map for slowly easing and unwinding high American health care costs while increasing quality, and making our food sources not riskier, but safer. This 'trade agreement' is and should be an embarrassment to every American who values his right to safe, nutritious food and who expects his medical care to 'do no harm'.
we are supposed to be agreeing to, or alternately, fighting against with this disappointingly shadowy TPP 'agreement'. Then, when we finally do get at least some crumbs of information trickled down to us, we find out why the information water tap runneth so dry... this agreement is essentially a huge
corporate BiG Ag, BiG Pharma free-for-all giveaway, instead of a thoughtful and balanced long term map for slowly easing and unwinding high American health care costs while increasing quality, and making our food sources not riskier, but safer. This 'trade agreement' is and should be an embarrassment to every American who values his right to safe, nutritious food and who expects his medical care to 'do no harm'.
13
A cynic might observe that the negotiators quickly resolved environmental protection issues because they don't take them very seriously and know that little will change as a result of the trade agreement. As for agreeing on a process to nullify a signatory's own laws, if they interfere with the profits of multinationals, we expected them to do so. After all, this entire process is designed to make money for big international business, and nothing stands in the way of that outcome, heaven forbid. There is still some hope that the agreement will founder over dairy products, rice, wheat and drugs. If so, we'll owe a debt of gratitude to farmers in Canada and the victims of pharmaceuticals everywhere.
8
Bill Clinton destroyed the agrarian economy of Haiti, by forcing Haiti to accept heavily subsidised agricultural products from the US. He even apologize for it, but free enterprise zones in lieu of small farmers forced upon Haiti, led to Mumbai like slum conditions for Haiti, which was already poor enough.
What I wonder is, was NAFTA just some dystopian experiment in the cracking of a small nation in order to apply the same centrifugal tendencies inherent in NAFTA to much bigger economies, like say the United States, because that is what it looks like TPP could be used for? Right now corporations in the Frankenstein Fire Economies of Europe, Asia, and the US are being empowered to crack open the economies of Sovereign Governments in order to assert Corporate control of those governments, outside of the political process, once known as democracy.
In this sense Haiti, Greece and American Labor Unions have a lot in common, and let's face it all of us are having our wealth targeted. That the usual unholy alliance with the Republicans has been formed by another Democrat President to put our economy and our wealth on the Corporate auction block, just as Bill Clinton did is impossible to tolerate.
That Hillary Clinton has had nothing to say about it is every indication that she is onboard with the fleecing of America, in the name of corporate prerogatives, just as was her husband Bill. We can not allow this to happen!
What I wonder is, was NAFTA just some dystopian experiment in the cracking of a small nation in order to apply the same centrifugal tendencies inherent in NAFTA to much bigger economies, like say the United States, because that is what it looks like TPP could be used for? Right now corporations in the Frankenstein Fire Economies of Europe, Asia, and the US are being empowered to crack open the economies of Sovereign Governments in order to assert Corporate control of those governments, outside of the political process, once known as democracy.
In this sense Haiti, Greece and American Labor Unions have a lot in common, and let's face it all of us are having our wealth targeted. That the usual unholy alliance with the Republicans has been formed by another Democrat President to put our economy and our wealth on the Corporate auction block, just as Bill Clinton did is impossible to tolerate.
That Hillary Clinton has had nothing to say about it is every indication that she is onboard with the fleecing of America, in the name of corporate prerogatives, just as was her husband Bill. We can not allow this to happen!
7
...mainstream media and politicians still discussing TPP, TTIP, TISA, as "trade deals"...still ridiculous...fewer than 25% of chapters involved, TPP, address "trade"...(thanks, Wikileaks-more truthful than past 3 presidents; regardless of political affiliation..)
4
Too many diverse "markets" and interests glommed into one deal. Focus and simplify or somehow, somewhere down the line there's going to be strong negative consequence. And as an aside, big Pharma is noxious and greedy, up there with the insurance industries as far as executives bank rolling on other people's misfortunes ... just look at commercial TV they promote illness, it truly is sick. I believe in research, but I don't think the industry is truly vested in that, they seem to be a cancer to our society why spread it around the globe.
4
You note in the Obama administration "an unwillingness to project force in the world to secure western interests generally and American interests specifically. As a consequence, our displeasure simply isn’t feared as it once was – and hence we have what was likely the real cause of failure." You also say that
"Mr. Obama pays a price for an unwillingness to get tough. Problem is that he’s not the only one who pays that price. We all do."
Your first statement could be restated: "Obama is less likely to use gunboat diplomacy, and drone diplomacy isn't as intimidating." As for the second part about "paying prices," let's not forget the less than 1% of Americans, veterans, who have been paying the price for our wars of choice for a decade and a half, while a different less than 1% of Americans have been reaping the benefits of our economic growth.
"Mr. Obama pays a price for an unwillingness to get tough. Problem is that he’s not the only one who pays that price. We all do."
Your first statement could be restated: "Obama is less likely to use gunboat diplomacy, and drone diplomacy isn't as intimidating." As for the second part about "paying prices," let's not forget the less than 1% of Americans, veterans, who have been paying the price for our wars of choice for a decade and a half, while a different less than 1% of Americans have been reaping the benefits of our economic growth.
7
Win or lose, the TPP is a stain on Obama's legacy and his advocacy for this deal shows us whose "lives" he really values. To him "Corporate lives" matter!
8
This is a bit off topic, and I don't feel qualified to argue for or against the trade deal. But the U.S. big pharma obstacle is what I think about. We bankrupt families in the U.S. when they access new drugs that are still in patent. Big Pharma says they need that protection if they are to be expected to spend the billions they do on R&D. But I have to say, I am more than tired of seeing ad after ad after ad on television in particular for drugs we are encouraged to speak to our doctors about. Watching the news at night we are treated to repetitive pharmaceuticals to help us sleep, have sex, and in some instances I am at a loss to know what the drug does. But it is so tiresome. And it makes clear the advertisers are doing quite well with their patent protections.
10
It wil ultimately be fully negotiated, passed and signed. Much to the benefit of all signers despite the hyperventilating of free trade denalists.
1
This trade deal is not about free trade. It is about protected trade but not in the protecting local crafts people or farmers but rather protecting the profits of mega corporations by killing safety regulations and competition. Big corporations only like "free" trade as a club. They don't actually love free trade wherein completion is based on full information to consumers and no one can stifle completion by getting the government or some shadow unelected government to pass rules to protect their already powerful position.
1
Denialists? A better word would be opponents.
Denalist is used since 90% of economists view fee trade as a benefit (approximating the percentage who agree on climate change). There has been no better means of elevating the poor out of poverty than capitalism and free trade.
1
TPP should not increase trade and employment deficits at the expense of USA citizens. Trade Agreements should be “Of the people, by the people, for the People” addressing the disenfranchisement of Lower and Middle Class USA citizens. Cities and rural areas are awash with crime, hopelessness and underemployed USA citizens of all ages who are floundering as they struggle to create a future for their children. Technology, automation and off shore tech support undermine USA opportunity. We should be negotiating for increased support of USA based economies hat do not perpetuate wealth inequality, but create opportunity for the Next Seven Generations. Taxpayer dollars or business tax credits could support implementation of community based manufacturing and customer support tech call centers.
1
Good Job, Good People of Australia, Chile and New Zealand who "also continue to resist the push by the United States to protect the intellectual property of major pharmaceutical companies for as long as 12 years, shielding them from generic competition as they recoup the cost of developing next-generation biologic medicines." Americans are already subsidizing the regulated world's prescription drugs, with sky-high prices and there are companies who try to patent/own a woman's breast cancer cells for private corporate profit. There is a sure cure for the Grand Theft that is taking place through Wall Street/Pharmaceutical companies - do not give them ANY patents. None. WE taxpayers are already paying for all the "research and development" with government grants and other tax-free money and the companies write off all advertising, marketing, promotion, equipment, conferences and every other thing they can find as a "business expense". They prey on OUR illnesses to get wealthy beyond belief and it must stop. No patents for medical field equipment or cures. None.
8
So the drug companies are supposed to work for free? This is just silly. No, the US government is not paying for the majority of research developing new drugs.
The Pharmaceutical companies certainly would like to prevent generics. The fact that so many diverse interests could not reach an agreement is not surprising. The fear of China seems to be the one unifying factor.
1
Don't worry. Lawless Barack will strike a side-deal that will guarantee the other countries the export of American jobs to their respective lands. And just like the disastrous Iran deal lawless Barack will say what are the alternatives except the "end of the world".
This buffoon is getting quite tiring with his inept leadership. Shame on those voters who voted for him not once, but twice. In 2016's elections, please stay home.
This buffoon is getting quite tiring with his inept leadership. Shame on those voters who voted for him not once, but twice. In 2016's elections, please stay home.
3
Well, according to the administration this trade deal was a win-win for all parties involved. Of course the reality of "free-trade" agreement is there will be losers, as we found out with Nafta. Now the parties to the agreement are finding out who is losing what.
3
As the esteemed economics professor Joseph Stiglitz, former Chief Economist at the World Bank has recently observed, this proposed TPP treaty is not a "free trade" agreement at all, but in fact amounts to a takeover by rich multinational corporations of the governments of the participating countries (including ours). He said, on May 13:
As he said (Project Syndicate, May 13, 2015)
"IF there were a need for better property protection, and if this private, expensive dispute-resolution mechanism were superior to a public judiciary, we should be changing the law not just for well-heeled foreign companies, but also for our own citizens and small businesses. But there has been no suggestion that this is the case.
Rules and regulations determine the kind of economy and society in which people live. They affect relative bargaining power, with important implications for inequality, a growing problem around the world. The question is whether we should allow rich corporations to use provisions hidden in so-called trade agreements to dictate how we will live in the twenty-first century. I hope citizens in the US, Europe, and the Pacific answer with a resounding no. "
As he said (Project Syndicate, May 13, 2015)
"IF there were a need for better property protection, and if this private, expensive dispute-resolution mechanism were superior to a public judiciary, we should be changing the law not just for well-heeled foreign companies, but also for our own citizens and small businesses. But there has been no suggestion that this is the case.
Rules and regulations determine the kind of economy and society in which people live. They affect relative bargaining power, with important implications for inequality, a growing problem around the world. The question is whether we should allow rich corporations to use provisions hidden in so-called trade agreements to dictate how we will live in the twenty-first century. I hope citizens in the US, Europe, and the Pacific answer with a resounding no. "
12
Stop all of these "trade" deals. Globalization is literally killing the ability for us to fight climate change and in fact is accelerating it. I write this on yet another 100 degree day in Portland, Oregon. That's right Portland, Oregon.
Moving massive amounts of cheap products around the world on countless mega container, high carbon exhaust spewing ships so people can insatiably consume is wrong, very wrong, in and of itself but doing it while defanging all efforts to fight obviously rapid climate change is beyond wrong.
This TPP deal will have only half measures written into it to give the impression something is and can be done by the global corporatists to combat this life threatening cataclysm winding up to take us down, but they are a joke.
We cannot have our cake and eat it too. We must change our collective lifestyles before it is too late. There may have been a point in the late 80's up to about the mid 90's when the half measures may have worked but that time has come and gone. The real sad thing now is that most of us don't even know that.
Moving massive amounts of cheap products around the world on countless mega container, high carbon exhaust spewing ships so people can insatiably consume is wrong, very wrong, in and of itself but doing it while defanging all efforts to fight obviously rapid climate change is beyond wrong.
This TPP deal will have only half measures written into it to give the impression something is and can be done by the global corporatists to combat this life threatening cataclysm winding up to take us down, but they are a joke.
We cannot have our cake and eat it too. We must change our collective lifestyles before it is too late. There may have been a point in the late 80's up to about the mid 90's when the half measures may have worked but that time has come and gone. The real sad thing now is that most of us don't even know that.
8
In what we currently now know about Obama Trade: it harms seniors, condones slavery and human trafficking, destroys America’s sovereignty, and permanently protects the banking oligarchy.
Who knows what else we’ll find – “If” and when we “all” finally get to see it?
We must defeat the TPP!
“Trans Pacific Partnership is bad deal for senior citizens”
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/healthcare/240029-trans-pacific-p...
“Obama Shrugs Off Slavery To Protect Trade Deal”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/malaysia-human-trafficking-tpp_55b66...
“Fast-Track Hands Money Monopoly to Big Banks: Permanently”
http://firedoglake.com/2015/06/15/fast-track-hands-the-money-monopoly-to...
Who knows what else we’ll find – “If” and when we “all” finally get to see it?
We must defeat the TPP!
“Trans Pacific Partnership is bad deal for senior citizens”
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/healthcare/240029-trans-pacific-p...
“Obama Shrugs Off Slavery To Protect Trade Deal”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/malaysia-human-trafficking-tpp_55b66...
“Fast-Track Hands Money Monopoly to Big Banks: Permanently”
http://firedoglake.com/2015/06/15/fast-track-hands-the-money-monopoly-to...
7
Perhaps narrow, national self-interest is not such a bad thing?
If I had to chose between greedy, multinational corporations or self-interested, national states I'll opt for the latter.
If I had to chose between greedy, multinational corporations or self-interested, national states I'll opt for the latter.
7
Sounds like they reached agreement on all issues except those that concerned money and special interests.
2
Transparency? This group could give FIFA a run for it's money.
6
Is there anything in the TPP that helps the American people?
Just the fact that McConnell and the Republicans support the (secret) deal should be a clear warning to Americans interested in having jobs.
As far as I can tell, the TPP is corporate giveaway--do we really need to give more leverage to the pharmaceutical industry with 12-year patents for the signing nations (as one country said 5 years would do)? The price-gouging pharmaceutical industry was the top profit-maker in 2013, with 42% profit (banks were next at 29%).
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28212223
But, the most worrisome piece of the TPP is the ability of corporations to sue governments if governments hinder corporate business/profits. Digest that one for a second.
I live in beautiful central NY where the natural gas industry has been salivating to get in here and hydrofrack (which results in air pollution, massive water consumption, contamination of fresh well and drinking water, health hazards due to the chemicals used in extraction, and no one knows how to deal with the millions of gallons of waste water that results from the process). Wisely, NY has banned fracking for now, as have many municipalities, some states, and other nations.
Yet, armed with the TPP, the gas companies with deep pockets could sue local, state, national governments that ban fracking, thus hinder gas business.
The implication: Corporations become more powerful than the governments that need to regulate them
Let the TPP die
Just the fact that McConnell and the Republicans support the (secret) deal should be a clear warning to Americans interested in having jobs.
As far as I can tell, the TPP is corporate giveaway--do we really need to give more leverage to the pharmaceutical industry with 12-year patents for the signing nations (as one country said 5 years would do)? The price-gouging pharmaceutical industry was the top profit-maker in 2013, with 42% profit (banks were next at 29%).
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28212223
But, the most worrisome piece of the TPP is the ability of corporations to sue governments if governments hinder corporate business/profits. Digest that one for a second.
I live in beautiful central NY where the natural gas industry has been salivating to get in here and hydrofrack (which results in air pollution, massive water consumption, contamination of fresh well and drinking water, health hazards due to the chemicals used in extraction, and no one knows how to deal with the millions of gallons of waste water that results from the process). Wisely, NY has banned fracking for now, as have many municipalities, some states, and other nations.
Yet, armed with the TPP, the gas companies with deep pockets could sue local, state, national governments that ban fracking, thus hinder gas business.
The implication: Corporations become more powerful than the governments that need to regulate them
Let the TPP die
17
Poor Barack. He won't get his Hawaiian paradise.
3
The TPP has little to nothing to do with trade. This is about eliminating regulations which protect citizens from trans=national corporations. Which also means the TPP is about protecting profits of these same trans-national corporations.
http://billmoyers.com/2015/05/27/stop-calling-tpp-trade-agreement-isnt/
"...the TPP (like nearly all trade agreements the U.S. signs) is not a “free trade agreement”—instead it’s a treaty that will specify just who [read corporations] will be protected from international competition and who will not. And the strongest and most comprehensive protections offered are by far those for U.S. corporate interests. Finally, there are international economic agreements that the United States could be negotiating to help the American middle class. They would look nothing like the TPP."
http://billmoyers.com/2015/05/27/stop-calling-tpp-trade-agreement-isnt/
"...the TPP (like nearly all trade agreements the U.S. signs) is not a “free trade agreement”—instead it’s a treaty that will specify just who [read corporations] will be protected from international competition and who will not. And the strongest and most comprehensive protections offered are by far those for U.S. corporate interests. Finally, there are international economic agreements that the United States could be negotiating to help the American middle class. They would look nothing like the TPP."
9
Stumbles on dictates by big pharma? Is it not totally clear that traditional war is not how you get booty? Nowadays you get booty from international trade deals written by corporations for corporate interests. Nowadays it's not nations, it's corporations that invade a country and reap the benefits. Our government is relegated to facilitator. Our government clears a path for invasion.
7
This entire exercise provides a fascinating perspective for new world power politics. Unlike the nation-state dynamics of the previous centuries, we now see the power in the hands of the oligopolies such as big-pharma, Ag, energy, entertainment and communications. The essential question revolves around who governs a multinational corporation?
While these treaties may provide some economic benefits, clearly they make it harder for the countries (and states within those countries) where the multinational corps do business to protect the interests of their citizens. How are we to make an informed decision when the content of the treaty is kept secret? And what's this notion that our democratically elected legislature can't modify the treaty?
These are dangerous waters that we are navigating, we should be cautious or we undermine the fundamental principles of representative government.
While these treaties may provide some economic benefits, clearly they make it harder for the countries (and states within those countries) where the multinational corps do business to protect the interests of their citizens. How are we to make an informed decision when the content of the treaty is kept secret? And what's this notion that our democratically elected legislature can't modify the treaty?
These are dangerous waters that we are navigating, we should be cautious or we undermine the fundamental principles of representative government.
4
I wish our corporate-owned sham of a government would just stop pretending that they care about anything in this deal, and simply allow the transnational corporations to exploit whoever and whatever they want, which is what's going to come out of this deal anyways. So, please, just stop the charade, pass this horrible deal, and move onto the next race-to-the-bottom policy. Thanks.
4
There must be one strong lobby group on the pharmaceutical side. With competition ranging that could see drug development done with computer models, creating boutique, low-budget players in the industry over traditional pharma means, 12 years to lock up a patent seems excessive, and perhaps a last ditch effort to preserve what could be a dinosaur model of overindulgent pharma giants.
As the true winners of the Cold War, the Chinese have no need to negotiate.
1
It's not surprising that drug companies would be trying to lock up their monopoly power over drug development and pricing for a period of more than a decade -- far longer than necessary to recoup their R&D costs and rack up multi-billion dollar profits. What is surprising is that the Obama administration is backing Big Pharma. At a minimum, the price for permitting such monopolization should be negotiated drug prices for Medicare and MedicareRx beneficiaries.
3
There's no way the language I'm reading here reassures me that the environmental provisions will be effective.
Sorry, I've see the gaps between language and implementation grow larger and larger over the decades even in the United States, with the rightward pressures of neoliberalism (anti-regulatory, anti-government and anti-enforcement spending) driving even environmental groups in New Jersey to do things I wouldn't have believed possible in 1988-2001, the boundaries of my own career. So I'm expected to be impressed with the much more difficult gaps that arise in international trading and enforcement?
Sorry, I've had too much hands-on real world experience in leaky language and in observing commitment first to economic growth, not environmental protection.
Thumbs down.
Sorry, I've see the gaps between language and implementation grow larger and larger over the decades even in the United States, with the rightward pressures of neoliberalism (anti-regulatory, anti-government and anti-enforcement spending) driving even environmental groups in New Jersey to do things I wouldn't have believed possible in 1988-2001, the boundaries of my own career. So I'm expected to be impressed with the much more difficult gaps that arise in international trading and enforcement?
Sorry, I've had too much hands-on real world experience in leaky language and in observing commitment first to economic growth, not environmental protection.
Thumbs down.
3
The only ones who will benefit from this bad deal will be for the bankers and rich. It is just like Ronald Raygun's trickle down failure. US Corporate Imperialism to follow.
1
Is there anything beyond shoving dubious Executive Orders down Americans' throats that Obama has accomplished?
Anything that takes diplomacy, negotiation, or reason falls off the table. Whether it is Libya, Arab Spring, the Iran deal or the TPP it is always a mess. And it winds up with Obama explaining that he's basically the smartest guy on the planet and everyone else just needs to bow to his majesty and agree with him.
And yet.......it is reported that his has been a successful Presidency. This is the most failed Presidency since Nixon.
Anything that takes diplomacy, negotiation, or reason falls off the table. Whether it is Libya, Arab Spring, the Iran deal or the TPP it is always a mess. And it winds up with Obama explaining that he's basically the smartest guy on the planet and everyone else just needs to bow to his majesty and agree with him.
And yet.......it is reported that his has been a successful Presidency. This is the most failed Presidency since Nixon.
1
"Australia, Chile and New Zealand also continue to resist the push by the United States to protect the intellectual property of major pharmaceutical companies..."
Maybe they'll do what our corporation-corrupted US Congress wouldn't, and kill this anti-democratic monstrosity.
BERNIE IN '16
Maybe they'll do what our corporation-corrupted US Congress wouldn't, and kill this anti-democratic monstrosity.
BERNIE IN '16
5
For countries whose economies have been constructed around mercantilism trade is always a one way street. I remember a cartoon I saw in a paper decades ago of an American motorist was driving through one of these third world countries and stopping on the side of the road to chat with a disheveled peasant leaning on a hoe and asking: You got anything to trade? The peasant replied: Yea, places.
1
The U.S. is looking "to protect the intellectual property of major pharmaceutical companies ... as they recoup the cost of developing next-generation biologic medicines" The drug industry is making huge profits now. Please tell me what exactly they are 'recouping' from?
3
Post WW 2 so called trade agreements, if brought to a referedum, especially in North America right or wrong would never have been legislated. Why, because voters fear for their livelihood. So called free trade, which has matured into full blown globalization, has had tremendous affect on workers. Aside from the agreement on duties, slave labor becomes the underlying strength of the winners and losers.
2
The nations in these negotiations are diverse and from different economic conditions. The Far East is an area of focus for the future for the United States. I have no knowledge of companies or trade associations have too much imflemce. In,treaties like this type nations have always represented industries that may be affected. This trade deal is complex and involves many diverse nations, which makes resolution difficult.
Why don't they work on sharing the task of cleaning up the Pacific. Some ideas on how to do that have come up lately.
The TPP is yet another initiative aimed at increasing the wealth of corporations while reducing the wealth of individuals. Another article on the front page discusses the hundred million raised by Bush's PAC's. The other candidates, other than Sanders, envy him.
All but the clinically dead know money rules politics--both parties. Jimmy Carter recently said we live in an oligarchy. Democracy, if it ever was alive, is long dead. Studies show every law and regulation passed is done so without regard to what is beneficial for the People. We are pawns told to vote and then shut up. The smart people, who have experienced the neglect of politicians for decades, know their vote does not matter.
I hope Bernie Sanders wins and takes on Congress which will undoubtedly oppose every policy he supports. We all know the facts--the game is fixed. We all know elections bring out the same old party supported, corporate supported candidates.
We need a complete overhaul of the system. Shame on Obama for being yet another cog in the wheel of the oligarchy. We had such Hope that turned into bitter reality.
All but the clinically dead know money rules politics--both parties. Jimmy Carter recently said we live in an oligarchy. Democracy, if it ever was alive, is long dead. Studies show every law and regulation passed is done so without regard to what is beneficial for the People. We are pawns told to vote and then shut up. The smart people, who have experienced the neglect of politicians for decades, know their vote does not matter.
I hope Bernie Sanders wins and takes on Congress which will undoubtedly oppose every policy he supports. We all know the facts--the game is fixed. We all know elections bring out the same old party supported, corporate supported candidates.
We need a complete overhaul of the system. Shame on Obama for being yet another cog in the wheel of the oligarchy. We had such Hope that turned into bitter reality.
35
In one sense this shouldn’t surprise, since the agreement is immensely complicated and nations will have specific conflicting interests that are not easy to align. But in another sense, the failure is a reflection on the loss of influence suffered by the U.S. over the past six years. Indeed, for all we know, the failure may have been abetted by attempts by both China and Russia to embarrass President Obama.
Since the nations involved likely will benefit far more than they sacrifice to close a deal, it’s likely that final agreement will be reached fairly soon. But there’s also no question that the president has been embarrassed.
A new and very different worldview has captured this White House than was the case with other administrations. That worldview emphasizes equivalency of nations in terms of objective justifications for how they’re governed, and an unwillingness to project force in the world to secure western interests generally and American interests specifically. As a consequence, our displeasure simply isn’t feared as it once was – and hence we have what was likely the real cause of failure.
The participants knew that an agreement probably would be closed anyway and didn’t really care that the U.S. would be embarrassed by not closing it now. So it wasn’t, because to do so would have involved harder work and more creativity under pressure.
Mr. Obama pays a price for an unwillingness to get tough. Problem is that he’s not the only one who pays that price. We all do.
Since the nations involved likely will benefit far more than they sacrifice to close a deal, it’s likely that final agreement will be reached fairly soon. But there’s also no question that the president has been embarrassed.
A new and very different worldview has captured this White House than was the case with other administrations. That worldview emphasizes equivalency of nations in terms of objective justifications for how they’re governed, and an unwillingness to project force in the world to secure western interests generally and American interests specifically. As a consequence, our displeasure simply isn’t feared as it once was – and hence we have what was likely the real cause of failure.
The participants knew that an agreement probably would be closed anyway and didn’t really care that the U.S. would be embarrassed by not closing it now. So it wasn’t, because to do so would have involved harder work and more creativity under pressure.
Mr. Obama pays a price for an unwillingness to get tough. Problem is that he’s not the only one who pays that price. We all do.
10
Obama is only concerned about the interests and profits of the corporate elites. Workers rights, human rights and the environment don't really matter.
Dear Richard, the loss of US influence began much longer than six years ago, with a foolish president who was all too willing to "get tough".
3
If America is not as feared as it once was--the reason you posit for the fact that other countries such as New Zealand need to protect their citizens who now benefit from generic drugs and their low cost (my year's supply of Lisinopril, a common antihypertensive med costs $30 USD including a nurse visit) from the extreme profit-seeking of international corporation Big Pharma--you can chalk up that loss of fear to your George Bush whose disastrous war in Iraq showed that American military force was inept in asymmetric warfare. And its moral force was eroded by torture. And that is further eroded by the use of drones which terrorizes civilian populations. You want to know why America has lost its moral and military prestige in the world? Look to your own heroes. They have feet of clay.
1
This result doesn't surprise me. Reading between the lines of an upbeat BBC article on the various issues at stake in this set of deals made me realize this thing wasn't going to pass in this round of negotiations, if ever. There are too many countries, with too many issues, and not enough real incentives for many of them.
Judging by how everybody was dressed in the article's first photo (except for the lone lady), it must have been "a casual Friday" meeting. World leaders, even 2nd or 3rd tier ones like trade negotiators, would never have dressed this way when I was a kid in the 1960s. Other leaders would have looked down upon anyone who wasn't in a suit and a tie. How times have changed. You be the judge as to whether such changes are an improvement, or not. They look like a bunch of poker players.
1
LOL. Have you ever been to Hawaii? Believe me nobody wears a suit and tie there. It is Paradise, after all.
Two pair of dueces and a " three"?
It looks like although Americans are gullible rubes, the other countries in the TPP talks are not. They understand that the trade agreement is likely to destroy jobs in their own countries and refuse to allow that.
16
If this is such a great agreement , why have only 600 corporate lobbyists been permitted to work on it? Why is it so secret? What are thery afraid of? Why are our elected representatives forbidden to see and talk about it?
SOPA [the Stop Online Piracy Act] and PIPA [ the Protect Intellectual Property Act] were both unanimously defeated in our Congress in January, 2012 when our mostly young technocrats rose up to say: " NO - this stinks!" Now these same intrusive laws which will interfere with intellectual freedom have been stuck into this facist piece of legislation.
Thanks to whistleblowers, we know that this agreement has nothing to do with free trade and more to do with circumventing labor, environmental and financial regulations that exist to protect citizens.
In Mexico we see how laborers are treated as chattel. Since the passage of the North Atlantic Trade Agreement NAFTA, millions have fled north to the US after US corn poured into Mexico - destroying the small farmers' ability to survive. Inequality has soared in Mexico. An immigration crisis exists in the US because of NAFTA.
The Trans Pacific Partnership is NAFTA on Steroids.
The tribunals set up by this agreement will only bring money to the lawyers and misery to the small countries and its citizens unable to stand up to the Greed of Corporate Vulture Capitalism.
SOPA [the Stop Online Piracy Act] and PIPA [ the Protect Intellectual Property Act] were both unanimously defeated in our Congress in January, 2012 when our mostly young technocrats rose up to say: " NO - this stinks!" Now these same intrusive laws which will interfere with intellectual freedom have been stuck into this facist piece of legislation.
Thanks to whistleblowers, we know that this agreement has nothing to do with free trade and more to do with circumventing labor, environmental and financial regulations that exist to protect citizens.
In Mexico we see how laborers are treated as chattel. Since the passage of the North Atlantic Trade Agreement NAFTA, millions have fled north to the US after US corn poured into Mexico - destroying the small farmers' ability to survive. Inequality has soared in Mexico. An immigration crisis exists in the US because of NAFTA.
The Trans Pacific Partnership is NAFTA on Steroids.
The tribunals set up by this agreement will only bring money to the lawyers and misery to the small countries and its citizens unable to stand up to the Greed of Corporate Vulture Capitalism.
27
it's the drug companies stupid.
4
Hopefully the Iran deal can now be killed.
4
I'll bet Hillary is sorry now that she wasn't against it. To me, everything the Clintons do is self-serving.
6
Yes! This is most welcome news in light of the absurd, outrageous overreach that this "agreement" represents, kept secret from the American electorate as it has been.
18
open up our sugar market. The only reason we are protecting our sugar market is to appease some powerful Cuban-American interests in Florida. High time we stop jeopardizing national interests for a third-world swing state.
8
>
By hook or crook this will pass, just like it did in our Senate and House.
The people's will, right or wrong, has been negated.
By hook or crook this will pass, just like it did in our Senate and House.
The people's will, right or wrong, has been negated.
5
U.S. Representative Sander Levin is not an "observer", he is taking an all expense paid for the the U.S. government, we the people, vacation. Why not stay at home here in Michigan Rep. Sanders? Travel into Detroit, where the devastation of NAFTA can be a real observation in trade agreements.
11
"The trade ministers who gathered at the luxury hotels of Maui this week..."
This says it all. The gready fattened wolves are fighting with each other over who is going to get what spoils from the sheep- read that as the American worker, while Obama sits back, and ponders his legacy.
This says it all. The gready fattened wolves are fighting with each other over who is going to get what spoils from the sheep- read that as the American worker, while Obama sits back, and ponders his legacy.
16
Thank God that other nations do actually protect their farmers and workers. The United States, ever since NAFTA, has given away every protection to blue collar workers and now we have wages that are in fact lower than in the 80's when indexed for inflation. Do not even get me started on wide open borders and illegal squatters driving wages ever further down.
9
Rather than considering some changes to TPP that many Americans wanted, Obama, Boehner and McConnell cut off debate and passed "fact track", which will only allow an up or down vote on TPP. To add insult to injury, Congress addressed the demand for a couple billion dollars to fund a transition for workers displaced by TPP by taking the money out of Medicare - after they had just added $39 billion to the Defense Dept without funding it by reducing expenses elsewhere or increasing taxes.
Now we find that the TPP agreement isn't an agreement yet. Malaysia is being given a pass on violations of child labor and other civil rights. And, other countries think giving pharmaceutical companies 12 years of protection from competition will just increases their costs as it does ours.
Apparently the one thing the countries did agree on is that their companies should be able to challenge environment, labor and other laws through extrajudicial tribunals. From the US perspective one could read that as "coal companies" and see Mitch McConnell's fingerprints all over it.
Great job, guys!
Now we find that the TPP agreement isn't an agreement yet. Malaysia is being given a pass on violations of child labor and other civil rights. And, other countries think giving pharmaceutical companies 12 years of protection from competition will just increases their costs as it does ours.
Apparently the one thing the countries did agree on is that their companies should be able to challenge environment, labor and other laws through extrajudicial tribunals. From the US perspective one could read that as "coal companies" and see Mitch McConnell's fingerprints all over it.
Great job, guys!
9
American manufacturing lives, at least for another day or two.
4
I have serious reservations about this attempted agreement but, like the Iran nuclear deal, feel it is the best we can hope for in today's world. I agree with the President that we shouldn't create a vacuum that China, by far the world's most trade rule-breaking country, would be happy to fill.
Like father, like son. Like the POTUS, like a trade deal. This is my subjective opinion, but Trans Pacific Partnership will weaken our economy and undermine some branches of the economy. I am glad that Mr. Obama is a bad negotiator.
1
Doesnt China already have free trade with the US via Australian China Free trade agreement anyway? Tariff free Chinese exports land in Australia and are then exported tariff free to the US?
IT all seems absurd if there are ways around these tariffs anyway!
IT all seems absurd if there are ways around these tariffs anyway!
2
I am glad I can relax on Saturday and maybe even Sunday not worrying about TPP finalization, but back to work on Monday to do my share that this treaty does not become a reality.
4
Another Times headline not borne out by its article.
Contrary to the headline, "In Setback for Obama, Pacific Trade Talks Fail", the article specifically says, "Trade ministers... said... bilateral talk [will reconvene] soon."
Perhaps the talks will eventually fail, and perhaps at such a point it could legitimately be seen as a setback for President Obama, however we are clearly not there yet. Should the talks eventually succeed, the Times will look silly because of this headline.
In any case, headlines are meant to be descriptive, not conclusionary.
Contrary to the headline, "In Setback for Obama, Pacific Trade Talks Fail", the article specifically says, "Trade ministers... said... bilateral talk [will reconvene] soon."
Perhaps the talks will eventually fail, and perhaps at such a point it could legitimately be seen as a setback for President Obama, however we are clearly not there yet. Should the talks eventually succeed, the Times will look silly because of this headline.
In any case, headlines are meant to be descriptive, not conclusionary.
4
OK. "China 1; Obama: 0." Happy?
So big Pharma couldn't get enough. So much for how important this was to Obama. It was always about giving the corporations what they wanted. It has always been an appalling and undemocratic a deal. All of these trade deals are. My Senator told me that he could not vote to mandate GMO labeling because Canada would sue us under NAFTA! Is it true, I am not sure although I beleive it may be. That certainly was what would happen under TPP.
5
I wonder if anyone posting here in support of restricting the rights of drug producers has ever asked himself why it is that the United States towers over the rest of the world in medical/drug breakthroughs? Is that a condition that your anti-capitalism must destroy?
One outcome of the failure of these talks is that Canadian consumers will continue to pay higher prices for dairy and poultry products. With an election in the offing the ruling Conservative government does not want to risk alienating farmers.
1
Good riddance to the Pacific trade deal.
This trade deal needs to die a violent death. These trade agreements have been particularly lethal to our middle class. It certainly seems that the only ones to benefit from these trade agreements are the ultra wealthy and the top executives that populate the companies that the ultra wealthy own.
Factor in the increased pace of environmental damage that results from industrial globalization and what you end up with is a particularly potent poisonous brew that ultimately impacts the planet as a whole.
This trade deal needs to die a violent death. These trade agreements have been particularly lethal to our middle class. It certainly seems that the only ones to benefit from these trade agreements are the ultra wealthy and the top executives that populate the companies that the ultra wealthy own.
Factor in the increased pace of environmental damage that results from industrial globalization and what you end up with is a particularly potent poisonous brew that ultimately impacts the planet as a whole.
8
Pope Francis called trade pacts a new form of neocolonialism during his recent visit to South America.
He is right.
If Americans themselves are incensed by these, think about how citizens and the poor in the smaller countries feel about this and its effects on them.
He is right.
If Americans themselves are incensed by these, think about how citizens and the poor in the smaller countries feel about this and its effects on them.
3
This fail is about labor giving Obama a black eye.
1
Just how powerful is the pharmaceutical industry?
On numerous occasions over the years, as I visited doctors offices, the paraphernalia of the office was riddled with drug names. Posters, pens, scratch pads to name a few. On a few occasions, I watched as drug company salespeople pushed their chances at talking to the doctors. They were quite persistent and interfered with office hours dedicated to seeing patients.
Are they snake oil salesmen? Is the pitch more potent than the cure?
Do you remember a decade ago when the great debate surrounding the newly created Medicare Drug program was about the chance to import cheaper drugs from outside the country and we were denied that right thus protecting the extraordinary profits of big pharma? Not only did the patents protect the high prices but so did the government by restricting outside sales.
Now with the Trans Pacific trade deal, the government is once again protecting the big profits of big pharma, only on a grander international scale, probably trying to vanquish the generic industry in other nations that threaten the profits of big pharma. This is another anti-competitive monopolistic protection from our government that is supposed to protect American consumers from monopolies and resulting high prices. Now the government is attempting to protect those high prices outside the country for the industry.
Big campaign donations paid off for many years it seems. That's quid pro quo in my view.
On numerous occasions over the years, as I visited doctors offices, the paraphernalia of the office was riddled with drug names. Posters, pens, scratch pads to name a few. On a few occasions, I watched as drug company salespeople pushed their chances at talking to the doctors. They were quite persistent and interfered with office hours dedicated to seeing patients.
Are they snake oil salesmen? Is the pitch more potent than the cure?
Do you remember a decade ago when the great debate surrounding the newly created Medicare Drug program was about the chance to import cheaper drugs from outside the country and we were denied that right thus protecting the extraordinary profits of big pharma? Not only did the patents protect the high prices but so did the government by restricting outside sales.
Now with the Trans Pacific trade deal, the government is once again protecting the big profits of big pharma, only on a grander international scale, probably trying to vanquish the generic industry in other nations that threaten the profits of big pharma. This is another anti-competitive monopolistic protection from our government that is supposed to protect American consumers from monopolies and resulting high prices. Now the government is attempting to protect those high prices outside the country for the industry.
Big campaign donations paid off for many years it seems. That's quid pro quo in my view.
8
Bullet dodged.
2
Don't tell me that the labor market has become too expensive in China for our multi-national corporations. You know the Big _______ (Pharma, Walmart, etc.) that rely on our U.S.A. military to protect their global interests. The Big _______ Corps that incorporate in tax haven countries and pay no taxes to the U.S.A.
5
'In Setback for Obama, Talks on Trade Deal Break Down'
Please, please stop using this tedious construction for headlines. Not everything is about politics. There were also substantive issues here. I expect better from the Times.
Please, please stop using this tedious construction for headlines. Not everything is about politics. There were also substantive issues here. I expect better from the Times.
2
The breakdown of the TPP negotiations is one of the few pieces of really good news we've been able to read lately.
4
It started with NAFTA. Let's not buy into this or it will be the final nail in the American worker's coffin if we allow it.
4
Why must NYT personalize everything around President Obama. Certainly it is a set back for the United states and he is the President, but this is the sort of thing I would expect either from People Magazine or the Republican candidates.
1
Good thing. The Obama administration, in the person of its chief negotiator, Mr. Froman, gave away the pharm, so to speak. If the arrangements he is pushing became reality, it would amount to a "combination in restraint of trade" and innovation, breaking our anti-trust laws, which would be nullified by the TPP. And the pharma bonanza will raise U.S. health carecosts, while denying life saving drugs to Africa and our Latin American neighbors.
Scrap the pharma protection act nd eliminate our dumb sugar quotas and the TPP might have a decent treaty, though I still fear extraterritoriality, that is to say, that the arbitration provisions will encourage significant violations of U.S. environmental and labor laws by foreign and domestic companies.
Hopefully, Mr. Froman will have an epiphany and clean up our act.
Scrap the pharma protection act nd eliminate our dumb sugar quotas and the TPP might have a decent treaty, though I still fear extraterritoriality, that is to say, that the arbitration provisions will encourage significant violations of U.S. environmental and labor laws by foreign and domestic companies.
Hopefully, Mr. Froman will have an epiphany and clean up our act.
14
Don't bet on it!
I wish journalists would stop using the "40% of the world's economy" figure in discussing this trade deal. The number is highly misleading. The US by itself is a large part of the 40%, and if we add Canada, Mexico and Japan we have most of the rest. And of course we already have free trade with Mexico and Canada (NAFTA) and pretty free trade with Japan. So what this is really about is who will dominate the small but growing countries of SE Asia -- we or the Chinese. Dominating them may be worthwhile, but we shouldn't disguise what we're doing.
1
It is clear to those of us following this over the years that the TPP negotiations were doomed when Japan decided to join the talks at a very late date. As an American businessman living in Japan, its been obvious to me that Japan wants unfettered access to the worlds markets in order to sustain its export-driven economy, but it is never going to open its own closed domestic market to foreign products. Japan does not have much of a sense of fair play.
There is tremendous resistence to foreign products in Japan and the country has built almost insurmountable cultural and structural barriers against foreign competition (this is also why Japan lacks innovation and its companies have become so uncompetitive, but that's another story). Sadly, this phenomenon is just getting worse as Japan has become more nationalist, insular and closed. It also does not help that the Japanese economy has been languishing, with an ever declining standard of living.
I very much doubt that Japan ever negotiated in good faith with the other TPP countries, since it is only interested in having a one-way street, where it can export to other countries without reciprocating by opening its own protected domestic market. It is difficult to negotiate with a country like Japan, which seems to have such a sense of entitlement. It needs to stop with this, "what's mine is mine, what's yours is mine" mentality and negotiate in good faith with the rest of the world.
There is tremendous resistence to foreign products in Japan and the country has built almost insurmountable cultural and structural barriers against foreign competition (this is also why Japan lacks innovation and its companies have become so uncompetitive, but that's another story). Sadly, this phenomenon is just getting worse as Japan has become more nationalist, insular and closed. It also does not help that the Japanese economy has been languishing, with an ever declining standard of living.
I very much doubt that Japan ever negotiated in good faith with the other TPP countries, since it is only interested in having a one-way street, where it can export to other countries without reciprocating by opening its own protected domestic market. It is difficult to negotiate with a country like Japan, which seems to have such a sense of entitlement. It needs to stop with this, "what's mine is mine, what's yours is mine" mentality and negotiate in good faith with the rest of the world.
Kill the agreement. It is an outrageous collaboration between government
and mega corporations. There is nothing good here for working people nor the sovereinnty of their local laws. Kill it.
and mega corporations. There is nothing good here for working people nor the sovereinnty of their local laws. Kill it.
12
"If talks go into hiatus for long, it could be easier for many of the countries to say no than yes". One can only hope that the talks drag out long enough for a huge majority to vote no. Agreements such as this are leading reasons for the steady decline of our country. The people who would profit most from an agreement such as this are the people who are already fleeing our pockets through their protections provide by their (supposedly "our") country
3
This deal is not dead and the only way we can assure any protection from whatever is still undisclosed is to vote those who are selling us this pig in a poke out of office.
While he cannot seek the highest office again, I am nonetheless sorry to include our President in this negative thought. Further, as her husband was instrumental in the passage of the destructive NAFTA, I am compelled to tar Mrs Clinton, who has clearly avoided voicing an opinion regarding TPP with the same brush.
We are not being well served by our elected officials who appear to have withdrawn from representing the citizenry in favor of lining their and their friend's pockets.
For the sake of our children, we have to understand that our nation is crumbling and vote in our and their interest.
This is not hyperbole.
While he cannot seek the highest office again, I am nonetheless sorry to include our President in this negative thought. Further, as her husband was instrumental in the passage of the destructive NAFTA, I am compelled to tar Mrs Clinton, who has clearly avoided voicing an opinion regarding TPP with the same brush.
We are not being well served by our elected officials who appear to have withdrawn from representing the citizenry in favor of lining their and their friend's pockets.
For the sake of our children, we have to understand that our nation is crumbling and vote in our and their interest.
This is not hyperbole.
9
I don't know if this loss for President Obama would be a loss for the rest of us. I understand why other nations want to be able to get cheaper medicine quicker, I don't know why our government doesn't want that for us as well. Pharmaceutical company greed has been bad for our health.
8
I find the comments below related to US Pharma and overseas sales to be a little misinformed. There is nothing 'wrong' with the article on this, but it does not explain things related to this either. I speak from a position of practical and personal experience with drugs still under US protection. I take two pills for my high blood pressure. Without insurance in the USA those pills, as of 2013, cost me over $275 per month in total. Here in the Philippines, the drug makers who have this drug pharmacology in the USA, do not sell it locally. However another major big Pharma's in the USA sell the same compounds in the same percentages... essentially the same drug... for one eighth of the cost. What big pharma wants, is to kill off this practice, that makes drugs affordable in other countries. And so, the misunderstanding of the readers is that big pharma is not trying to protect what they have, they are trying to kill off what exists now. Maybe it's a quibble, but I suspect it's not a quibble for the other eleven nations. I also wonder why the US side is carrying the water for big pharma on this matter.
5
Until the investor-state nonsense is eliminated and the secrecy surrounding the full text ended, this so-called free trade agreement should be scuttled. From the details via WikiLeaks, the TPP is more a laundry list of back door legislation that has little to do with trade- stuff like SOPA that was killed as stand alone legislation has been back footed into this bad treaty- which it really is, despite the technicalities.
5
This is a significant setback for this pact of 12 nations. It's too bad that they couldn't put together the items they agreed upon and ratify an agreement based on that and building on that success the remaining big items to work over the next year or so. With 12 countries all having their sacred cows, moving the needle was never going to be easy. But having a smaller pact could stave off the big Gorilla gobbling up markets already, China.
Instead of being a sweat-shop for T-shirts and other junk that fills US closets, the best way to develop an economy is: invest in education, keep the population low, if there are natural resources develop them sustainably, develop specific engineering sectors, maintain a quality of life to prevent brain drain, make kids feel loved. Which country is my example: Sweden! I'm not an expert, just a wishful thinker! I wish that Vietnam, Mexico, etc. could be like Sweden.
8
I wish the USA could be like Sweden, or Denmark, or Norway.
2
For some time the criticism about the protection of intellectual property of major pharmaceutical companies has been floating around. Apparently, things were quite as alleged by Ms. Warren and Dr. Krugman, and in listening to a representative from New Zealand speak about it, you realize that what the pharmaceutical companies would like to do to the rest of the world, they are already doing it here. Rather than a trade agreement, Mr. Obama should be working on fixing that, especially if we would like to get health costs under control, as we should.
5
The only beneficiaries of the various trade agreements are the corporates who get to move their production to low labor cost markets while maintaining unfettered access to the American consumer. "Globalisation" is great for corporates but terrible for the working classes. Economic evolution that may have occurred naturally over a few generations is happening over a few years imposing a terrible toll on workers who simply aren't able to adapt quickly enough. Instead we get 40 and 50 year olds unable to find meaningful employment during the remainder of their working years.
9
All countries participate in protectionism for their industries and farms. The U.S. needs to take a tougher position with respect to other country exports to us. We should put up trade barriers and tariffs and use them to negotiate an overall reduction in excise duties. Even the threat of adding costs to imported goods would help create a better atmosphere for compromise.
In short, we cannot be the purchaser of last resort for the rest of the world without some reciprocity. This is not 1950 anymore when the U.S. trying to pull the rest of the world out of the economic disaster of World War II. Reciprocity must be the 'name of the game'.
In short, we cannot be the purchaser of last resort for the rest of the world without some reciprocity. This is not 1950 anymore when the U.S. trying to pull the rest of the world out of the economic disaster of World War II. Reciprocity must be the 'name of the game'.
2
The US has proven time and time again that its negotiation skills are in effective. The US needs to engage people from the private sector to do negotiation, not government bureaucrats. Skilled negotiators will tell you the first thing is to pick a physical site that forces a focused attention on the getting something done, not a five star luxury resort which is full of distractions. Yes, it is the little things that count.
3
To commenters: Does Congress have the right to waive its constitutional requirement to approve treaties by 2/3 consent without an amendment passed in accordance with the rules and procedures specified in the constitution? Thanks.
4
Wonder if Obama and Froman had a nip of that cilantro, loaded with human fecal "fertilizer" and workers' used toilet paper left in the fields which has finally been traced to Mexico. Of course they can afford the price of the ethical antibiotics should he need the cure.
And then we'll be sued by Mexican big ag for pulling their cilentro from our market for their profit losses, arbitrated by conflicted arbitrators who represent big biz in the next case; and paid for solely by the taxes of what's left of American middle class after losing more jobs to human trafficking countries with cheaper labor rates; since big biz' off shore inversions don't pay US taxes anyway, which of course is less than the 35% they keep grousing about.
It just keeps getting better and better for the rest of us.
And then we'll be sued by Mexican big ag for pulling their cilentro from our market for their profit losses, arbitrated by conflicted arbitrators who represent big biz in the next case; and paid for solely by the taxes of what's left of American middle class after losing more jobs to human trafficking countries with cheaper labor rates; since big biz' off shore inversions don't pay US taxes anyway, which of course is less than the 35% they keep grousing about.
It just keeps getting better and better for the rest of us.
17
The most striking thing about TPP is its audacity. That a secret cabal of corporations could create what is essentially a declaration of independence from the rule of law by making its own laws is mind-boggling. That a Democratic president could be its greatest booster is even more disturbing. Was Obama really elected so that he could give our sovereignty away?
106
I am delighted that these talks foundered on the issue of protecting Big Pharma profits. The proposed TPP is in the interests of the plutocrats who run the big multinationals and no one else . It is a sellout of our dwindling middle class.
39
Indeed, the road to tyranny and slavery (oh sorry, that already exists, especially on the high seas).
All of these countries have a different definition of fair, we just stand out because we want so much. We have a lot of rules and we are trying to change many countries bad ways in one shot by going through all of these trading rules. Don't get me wrong it is a great thing we are doing but I feel as if we try to hard and try to be the hero every time something happens in the world. I feel that the United States just needs to take a step back unless it involves our country entirely.All of these countries rules are going to end up terminating trade talks with any country, but that's just me.
Just on protections for pharmaceuticals alone--preventing generics for 12 years!-- this should die.
The laments about cost of health care we hear yet never a word on how we pay more for medicines than in any other country.
Corporate welfare is fine if we're also taking care of the people. Not fine if only CEOs and shareholders are the beneficiaries.
The laments about cost of health care we hear yet never a word on how we pay more for medicines than in any other country.
Corporate welfare is fine if we're also taking care of the people. Not fine if only CEOs and shareholders are the beneficiaries.
48
In Canada, it turns out that the protected dairy market mainly benefits Quebec. In the last secession referendum, if only 25,000 votes had gone the other way, Quebec would have had a mandate to secede, thereby breaking up the country. But the dairy regions of Quebec voted against secession, and that is the one thing that saved the day. So it's hard to dismantle those protections now, unless there are some buy-out provisions to compensate the dairy farmers.
5
The talks weren't breaking down over the failure of the member nations to improve human rights abuses? Same on us. I am an Obama man but this effort stains his legacy.
10
You know who likes this TPP? Manufacturers like Apple. They can get iPhones made by 14 year-olds, pay them 12 cents an hour and still charge $700 for the phone.
We have NAFTA sending our jobs to Latin America, TPP will send jobs to Asia. What we need next is another pact which sends east coast jobs to Iceland and Norway. Pretty soon we won't have anything to do here.
We have NAFTA sending our jobs to Latin America, TPP will send jobs to Asia. What we need next is another pact which sends east coast jobs to Iceland and Norway. Pretty soon we won't have anything to do here.
78
I do not think that Norway or Iceland are interested in having the United States take away their ability to manage their economy.
Just about a decade ago, the buzz here in the U.S. was whether or not we could import cheaper drugs from outside the country. The government protected the drug companies then by denying the ability to import drugs. Now the government is trying to make the pharmaceutical companies even richer with overseas sales prices protected by this Trans Pacific Trade pact.
Hey..........is the government on the take with the pharmaceutical companies?
Hey..........is the government on the take with the pharmaceutical companies?
43
Of course it is.
obviously some members of the government must be on the take with pharmaceutical companies.
Just like on matter of national security and other policies, President Obama's unwillingness to make an open and comprehensive case for the trade pact, based on its merits, facts, and its alignment with core American values, undermines its credibility and suggests to me he is less than honest about its substance and intentions.
Despite all the rhetoric about it being a "high quality" pact (whatever that means), it appears to be one that locks in American corporate interests and prerogatives. Indeed, many economists cry foul, but they are dismissed or ignored by the administration.
I think that's because the TPP is mainly designed to reinforces strategic and military power in Asia. While personally I am glad the US 7th fleet helps keep China on its side of the Taiwan Straits, this sort of economic and neo-imperial power brokering is very boring and destructive to our country's democratic ideals.
There has to be a better way.
Despite all the rhetoric about it being a "high quality" pact (whatever that means), it appears to be one that locks in American corporate interests and prerogatives. Indeed, many economists cry foul, but they are dismissed or ignored by the administration.
I think that's because the TPP is mainly designed to reinforces strategic and military power in Asia. While personally I am glad the US 7th fleet helps keep China on its side of the Taiwan Straits, this sort of economic and neo-imperial power brokering is very boring and destructive to our country's democratic ideals.
There has to be a better way.
32
An empire can never be a democracy.
"Australia, Chile and New Zealand also continue to resist the push by the United States to protect the intellectual property of major pharmaceutical companies for as much as 12 years, shielding them from generic competition as they recoup the cost of developing next-generation “biologic” medicines."
No problem. We can always quadruple the price Americans pay, to reduce that 12 year down to 10 year. If the math adds up, maybe we can sell the biologics around the world even at a deeper discount.
It's a win win for Sr. Management at drug/biotech companies and the public around the world. Who cares about what happens to Americans!
No problem. We can always quadruple the price Americans pay, to reduce that 12 year down to 10 year. If the math adds up, maybe we can sell the biologics around the world even at a deeper discount.
It's a win win for Sr. Management at drug/biotech companies and the public around the world. Who cares about what happens to Americans!
33
Bring 'em on. I'm ready for some civil disobedience. It's past time to stop the billionaires and their minions in government.
70
The drug companies are too well protected in this country. They make huge profits, earnings grow faster than any other group and they whine anyway. If US negotiators end talks because drug companies want more protection, we're probably better off with no agreement.
51
Except Japan -- China was not invited -- the other six Asia-Pacific economies involved in the TPP are relatively small open economies. Trade plays a major role in GDP formation. Those countries have most to gain with the integration accord with the US.
The sticking points mentioned in the piece --e.g., protection to US pharmaceutical industry and agriculture products -- could be negotiated. Japan's rice market is the most sensitive. Rural vote plays an important role in Japanese politics.
One key question has been left out of the current TPP debate. That is, the political and military dimension aspect of this treaty.
As the European integration process shows, economic and trade integration lead, inevitably, to integration and cooperation in other areas, particularly political-security and defense. Washington idea is to create a future Asia-Pacific military alliance similar to NATO.
.
The sticking points mentioned in the piece --e.g., protection to US pharmaceutical industry and agriculture products -- could be negotiated. Japan's rice market is the most sensitive. Rural vote plays an important role in Japanese politics.
One key question has been left out of the current TPP debate. That is, the political and military dimension aspect of this treaty.
As the European integration process shows, economic and trade integration lead, inevitably, to integration and cooperation in other areas, particularly political-security and defense. Washington idea is to create a future Asia-Pacific military alliance similar to NATO.
.
10
Have you LOOKED at what's happening to the "European integration process"? It's a multi-level train wreck, and the EU and euro are teetering over a flaming abyss. Unity is the last thing we're seeing over there, and if it keeps unraveling, it will be the '30s all over again. Really, ask Greece how great integration has worked for them. Or Spain, or Germany for that matter. The only people who won are the shady bankers who scarpered off with the proceeds of their multi-national deals and left the citizens of the nations holding the bag. So yes, maybe there IS a lesson there for us, after all.
For me, given Obama's track record and his use of US intimidation - I hope the talks crash and burn. Countries should act in their own self interest and not be bullied by the US. The examples of US exercising undue and unwarranted extraterritorial power include, for example, FATCA and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act on non US companies and individuals with literally zero connection to the USA.
56
I wonder what happened to the sense of morality that earned USA the superpower status in the first place. It is absolutely clear that US Pharma is the new Tobacco industry - pushing its profits at all costs. And if it meets resistance from American people then compensate for it by buying American power to push it on much poorer, weaker countries even at the cost of millions of lives. Come on Obama ! You were the hope of the weak. How about confronting the Pharma industry for a change ?
135
Rather puzzling that some of the same Congressional figures so insistent on scrutinizing every word of the multi-national nuclear deal with Iran and so demanding we pressure the Iranians for more and more concessions are so willing, even eager, to sell us the TTP without ever having an opportunity to read it, content to assure us the obscure interests gathering in secret to concoct the TTP seek only to bless us with its benefits. Presumably we should all feel thrilled with protection of patent rights and market share but have every right to throttle attempts at peace.
74
Congress works for the United States of Big Pharma and Multinational corporations. They also work for Bibi Netanyahu and major arms manufacturers who would just love to have the U.S. have to pay for a major war with Iran.
Congress works for anyone who can make major campaign contributions.
Congress works for everyone but us.
Congress works for anyone who can make major campaign contributions.
Congress works for everyone but us.
1
It is very short-sighted that world leaders would stall on such modern advances for the 21st century as better internet access, life-saving drugs and alternative energy.
Pharmaceutical companies need protection from cheap foreign generics infringing on their patents. The industry spends billions of dollars revising the chemical formulas of existing drugs so they can extend their patents.
TPP would have meant more jobs for Americans selling high quality labor intensive imports. Exports of American made high-tec exports would have provided plentiful jobs for unskilled workers.
Many small farmers are hurting. They cannot compete with subsistence farmers in foreign countries. American farmers are being driven off the land.
The US has the best internet connections in the world. If we want to keep it that way it means that there must be more mergers and higher internet fees.
We cannot depend on Congress to reduce regulations any further. We will never be able to switch to alternative energy as long as regulations stand in the way of cleaner technology.
Obama has already done everything he can. The public has been asking Congress for more privatization, deregulation and lower taxes for 8 years now. We must balance the budget.
Our children's and grandchildren's future depends on the passage of sane trade agreements to further democratic values. That is what trade arbitrators do in private. The whole world is waiting and watching.
Pharmaceutical companies need protection from cheap foreign generics infringing on their patents. The industry spends billions of dollars revising the chemical formulas of existing drugs so they can extend their patents.
TPP would have meant more jobs for Americans selling high quality labor intensive imports. Exports of American made high-tec exports would have provided plentiful jobs for unskilled workers.
Many small farmers are hurting. They cannot compete with subsistence farmers in foreign countries. American farmers are being driven off the land.
The US has the best internet connections in the world. If we want to keep it that way it means that there must be more mergers and higher internet fees.
We cannot depend on Congress to reduce regulations any further. We will never be able to switch to alternative energy as long as regulations stand in the way of cleaner technology.
Obama has already done everything he can. The public has been asking Congress for more privatization, deregulation and lower taxes for 8 years now. We must balance the budget.
Our children's and grandchildren's future depends on the passage of sane trade agreements to further democratic values. That is what trade arbitrators do in private. The whole world is waiting and watching.
Let's see. Comcast just announced that it would cost $300/month fro 2 GB internet service here is Longmont, Colorado. Cheaper access? My city has "socialism"; they offer 1 GB fro $50/month.
Farmers? Most "farmers" are corporate forms which pushed out many family farms. Those who try to farm on their own, are luck that farmerr's markets exist. At least it is the one place where corporations haven't flooded the market with food products from overseas.
Drug companies? They spend more money marketing drugs, then they do developing them They are trying to push generic makers out of business to eliminate competition and in crease costs further.
The job implications will push more labor overseas and put more Americans either out of work or be forced to work for lower wages.
The only thing short sighted here is the TPP and a president who became completely out of touch with the citizens of this country. And a president desperate to leave a legacy; even if it is a bad one.
Farmers? Most "farmers" are corporate forms which pushed out many family farms. Those who try to farm on their own, are luck that farmerr's markets exist. At least it is the one place where corporations haven't flooded the market with food products from overseas.
Drug companies? They spend more money marketing drugs, then they do developing them They are trying to push generic makers out of business to eliminate competition and in crease costs further.
The job implications will push more labor overseas and put more Americans either out of work or be forced to work for lower wages.
The only thing short sighted here is the TPP and a president who became completely out of touch with the citizens of this country. And a president desperate to leave a legacy; even if it is a bad one.
46
"The public has been asking Congress for more privatization, deregulation and lower taxes for 8 years now"? LOL. That sentence could only have been written by a lobbyist.
39
I can't understand what you are saying about drugs, on the one hand you say drug companies need patent protection and on the other hand you say all the drug companies do is modify the chemical structure of existing drugs so they can extend the patent. If the later is the case the patents shouldn't be extended or even granted for the modified drugs.
12
A genuine free trade deal would be of benefit to the people of all countries. Furthermore, it would be easy to draw up as there is nothing to "negotiate" per se. The problem is that this is not a genuine free trade deal - what they are negotiating about are the continuing limits, restrictions, kick-backs, protections, special arrangements that are to apply post-deal. These benefit a privileged few at the expense of everybody else. The few bribe their respective governments to do their bidding. It's just like Congress in the US but on an international scale.
46
Gee, that was easy, or was it?
I think the TPP went down too easy this time, will regain a stronger place tomorrow morning.
Did congress give Fast Track to Obama over the other trade agreements? I think it did.Goodbye life as we know it, hello privatization.
I think the TPP went down too easy this time, will regain a stronger place tomorrow morning.
Did congress give Fast Track to Obama over the other trade agreements? I think it did.Goodbye life as we know it, hello privatization.
16
President Obama did not make the sale to us at home; no reason he should have sealed the deal.
20
Per the article, the "bright spot" in the TPP is the environmental chapter. That's one of twenty-nine. Of the remaining 28, the contents of four are generally known, thanks to Wikileaks, but the bits and pieces that have leaked out are not promising. Looks like a jobs export bill to me, and even Obama has conceded that, with his failed attempt to get money for "retraining" American workers. My suspicion is that the only kind of retraining they will get is on how to get along on one fourth their previous income.
If we want to improve the environment, promote health, human rights and prosperity there are other, more open ways of accomplishing it. Let's end this charade.
If we want to improve the environment, promote health, human rights and prosperity there are other, more open ways of accomplishing it. Let's end this charade.
51
Admittedly, I'd be thrilled to see the environmental protections in place - regardless of the enforceability - but the rest of the agreement doesn't bode well for Americans. We do need to replace big pharma with something like NASA. We need direct government inventiveness with regard to drugs, not pharmaceutical companies that profit - or else - with providing medications. NASA is a sterling example of scientific progress funded by taxpayers, and despite the problems, it's a praised and uniting emblem of American ingenuity. We need the same for life saving drugs because big pharma's profits shouldn't be on the table at all when it comes to the benefit of all humanity and our fellow creature inhabitants. The treaty is flawed to the point that it should not pass as it's another wound to the American workforce, but we can gain some perspective as to make a future treaty better, as well as an American domestic policy that will benefit both national and international basic human and environmental interests without protecting profiteers.
35
I don't know who the "we" is you are referring to. I fully support NASA's role in basic research and "moonshot" projects (not that it's accomplished a whole lot of those recently; we can't even launch astronauts into space without Russia's help). But commercializing all that technology? That's been outside the realm of NASA for a long, long time. The future of near-earth orbit space exploration is clealy to be led be the private sector, and that's a good thing.
Carolyn--the next time someone says that "government is the big problem" be sure and let them know how it produced such a "problem" as NASA!!
This is just a time out in the negotiation process. The trade deal is a key element of the economic response of the West and Southeast Asia to China. Without the leverage of the trade pact these countries involved will be subjected to undue pressure from China. Without it the U.S. will become too reliant on a military response and that is insufficient in isolation. So this project is too important for the countries to walk away. The trade deal will be done -- but may take a little longer to settle.
1
Calling these negotiations a trade deal seems an exercise in Orwellian doublespeak.
Why can't I, a little nobody consumer, buy prescription drugs on those international markets with solid health and safety protections such as the EU? If these agreements undid the US trade barriers confronting Americans wishing to buy foreign pharmaceuticals, I'd be all for them.
As it is, I don't see anything in these agreements for me. At best, the Obama Administration is engaging in trickle down trade agreements.
Why can't I, a little nobody consumer, buy prescription drugs on those international markets with solid health and safety protections such as the EU? If these agreements undid the US trade barriers confronting Americans wishing to buy foreign pharmaceuticals, I'd be all for them.
As it is, I don't see anything in these agreements for me. At best, the Obama Administration is engaging in trickle down trade agreements.
75
How ironic, the drug companies don't like it!
14
The want more. They always want more.
10
"We the people. . ." don't really know what's in this TPP. We don't know the situation with labor in the U.S. Unless "We the people. . ." get a transparent look at the huge bill, we should wish it a good afterlife, and bury it now.
22
OK -- so the Obama Administration's core goal is to extend the monopoly power of U.S. pharmaceutical companies that are heavily, heavily subsidized by United States taxpayers so that they can charge prices (internationally) that bear no relation to marginal cost?
In the name of "free trade," President Obama is promoting monopolistic, anti-competitive measures because U.S. taxpayer subsidies alone just aren't sufficient to maximize the profits of the economic interests that the President has chosen to go to the mat for here?
"Democrats" can't win given this kind of unprincipled arrangement.
In the name of "free trade," President Obama is promoting monopolistic, anti-competitive measures because U.S. taxpayer subsidies alone just aren't sufficient to maximize the profits of the economic interests that the President has chosen to go to the mat for here?
"Democrats" can't win given this kind of unprincipled arrangement.
26
A cynic might propose that USA protectionism for the pharmaceutical industry is the payback for their support for Obama's ACA. I still can't figure out why Obama didn't insist from them to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices as the VA does. In that case I'd submit to the idea that pharmaceutical industry patents might be protected for 12 years! At least there would have been some dent in their exorbitant profits.
10
Good news. I am a supporter of President Obama, but he is on the wrong side of History on this one. TPP is not good for the USA and its People.
TTIP is another story, I am in favor of it, but TPP is a bad idea on so many levels.
The cultural differences between North America and Asia are just too big in order for it to succeed. Focus on the Trans Atlantic Alliance not on the ''Pivot to Asia''. In my humble opinion the over-foucs on Asia is President Obama's biggest strategic mistake.
'' The Clash of Civilizations'' by Samuel P. Huntington is a current as it has ever been.
TTIP is another story, I am in favor of it, but TPP is a bad idea on so many levels.
The cultural differences between North America and Asia are just too big in order for it to succeed. Focus on the Trans Atlantic Alliance not on the ''Pivot to Asia''. In my humble opinion the over-foucs on Asia is President Obama's biggest strategic mistake.
'' The Clash of Civilizations'' by Samuel P. Huntington is a current as it has ever been.
5
This deal deserves to croak. The worker and environmental protections that we were promised with NAFTA were bogus since NO ONE is enforcing any of those "agreements".
Many union activists have been murdered or car bombed when they try to organize workers in South America. It is not just coincidence!!!
Many union activists have been murdered or car bombed when they try to organize workers in South America. It is not just coincidence!!!
36
When Congress outlawed fluorcarbons in aerosols, big pharma was able to extend its patents on inhalers by replacing fluorocarbons with a more eco-friendly carrier to deliver the medication. Thanks to corporate lobbying, minor tweaking of a generic product automatically renews its protection. Now asthma sufferers pay $60 for a small container of albuterol when they used to pay only $10. Bill Clinton, that great defender of corporate interests, always hailed intellectual property protection as if it was the hallmark of civilized society. The cause of human rights was just a secondary consideration for him. Now TPP would extend this phony protection for another 12 years, but the talks have broken down over this issue. Poor pharma. They just can't get a break.
34
I have a lot of faith in Mr. Obama, but I distrust the profit motive since it seems to override concerns about the health and safety of workers. It always seems to me that someone gets richer and most people get poorer.
6
I hope President Obama is happy that he wasted a lot of political capital with Democrats by crawling across the aisle to the people who ridicule and thwart and denigrate him daily. He must know, that just like "the sequester" he offered the GOP thinking they would say no, they are not to be trusted on anything as most of them hate most of us. Yes he also made a deal with them to keep naked little Emperor Bush II's tax cuts that decimated the economy. Maybe he will learn that anything he does with the Reprobates is a train wreck and we won't have to go through this little "bipartisan" charade again, as the other side has at least 47 declared traitors working to start yet another war for Israel....
15
Like Obama's pathetic bend-over Grand Bargain act, let's hope this deal's dead for good. It's difficult to believe other nations don't want American drug prices exported to them. What a neo-liberal, corporate-loving, corporatist disaster Obama is.
22
Let's be honest here for a change. The drugs that are keeping Australians alive longer are a steal -- literally.
Australians live longer because US consumers pay for the development of new life-saving drugs. The Australians are free riders -- they don't pay their fair share of the cost of R&D because their government uses its monopsonistic power to drive the price to the floor. I might excuse that if they were Africans or Indians. But they are one of the richest countries in them world.
No one has a nice word to say about big pharma, so let me try to set the record straight. As a professor, I have looked into the charges against big pharma, and most of them are completely trumped up.
For example, one bogus charge suggests that pharma companies spend money on advertising that might otherwise be spent on R&D. But why does any business advertise? To get more customers and make a larger profit. So advertising makes MORE dollars available for R&D not fewer.
Australians live longer because US consumers pay for the development of new life-saving drugs. The Australians are free riders -- they don't pay their fair share of the cost of R&D because their government uses its monopsonistic power to drive the price to the floor. I might excuse that if they were Africans or Indians. But they are one of the richest countries in them world.
No one has a nice word to say about big pharma, so let me try to set the record straight. As a professor, I have looked into the charges against big pharma, and most of them are completely trumped up.
For example, one bogus charge suggests that pharma companies spend money on advertising that might otherwise be spent on R&D. But why does any business advertise? To get more customers and make a larger profit. So advertising makes MORE dollars available for R&D not fewer.
2
I'd say Australian live longer because we eat better, exercise more, and as a result are less reliant of the pills Americans ( yes admittedly develop) shovel down their throats. I don't think Australians are as addicted to pharmaceutical drugs as their American counterparts. Television and magazines aren't swamped with advertisements for this , that, or the next ailment to be treated with drugs/
Are you saying that American voters are the real suckers for electing politicians who prevent them from buying their drugs on the Australian markets?
You write: "I have looked into the charges against big pharma, and most of them are completely trumped up."
What about the trade barriers facing Americans who would like to buy drugs on Australian markets? These barriers were created by big pharma. Trumped up?
You write: "I have looked into the charges against big pharma, and most of them are completely trumped up."
What about the trade barriers facing Americans who would like to buy drugs on Australian markets? These barriers were created by big pharma. Trumped up?
This is also provably true about Canada; the pharmaceutical companies that give them big discounts, do so knowing they can "stick it to" Americans in the form of higher prices.
So in short, Americans are subsidizing Canadian and Australian health care! and if we ever stopped, their low cost national health care would go up dramatically in cost, meaning higher taxes and less service.
Funny how nobody ever recognizes this.
So in short, Americans are subsidizing Canadian and Australian health care! and if we ever stopped, their low cost national health care would go up dramatically in cost, meaning higher taxes and less service.
Funny how nobody ever recognizes this.
2
I notice the article chose to focus on endangered species. It forgot the main one that will suffer ... the dangerously dwindling number of Americans struggling to hold on to middle class status.
Also, no discussion about the fact that those tribunals aren't just for disappearing wildlife. They're being set up to allow corporations to sue countries who pass laws that might impact their bottom line, so the tax-payers can cover corporate losses.
And where are the protections against currency manipulation? And are there any penalties for corporations that move jobs to countries that pay slave wages? How can they say there will be country-of-origin labeling when the same parties are already calling for our Congress to remove that labeling from our food?
In the end, all I noticed was that the participants went home to discuss the changes with "high level" officials ... read obscenely overpaid CEOs and the politicians they've bought.
Also, no discussion about the fact that those tribunals aren't just for disappearing wildlife. They're being set up to allow corporations to sue countries who pass laws that might impact their bottom line, so the tax-payers can cover corporate losses.
And where are the protections against currency manipulation? And are there any penalties for corporations that move jobs to countries that pay slave wages? How can they say there will be country-of-origin labeling when the same parties are already calling for our Congress to remove that labeling from our food?
In the end, all I noticed was that the participants went home to discuss the changes with "high level" officials ... read obscenely overpaid CEOs and the politicians they've bought.
18
Until our country can guarantee that this trade deal will not result in jobs lost here, I don't see why it should happen.
JOBS HERE FIRST!!
JOBS HERE FIRST!!
16
Sounds like the American negotiators were ultimately tripped up by the boundless greed of erican corporate and oligarchical interests. This is the best news in months.
9
Obama Administration, hear me loud and clear and shed all your inhibitions and get the Mother-Of-All Deal-makers, Donald Trump involved, and see this deal come to fruition on your terms. I guaranty it. If anyone, he is the man who can deliver.
2
Actually, despite his flaws, Trump would likely make a good deal and one that is a win win for all. He knows how to do this in business. Tough, firm but in the end a balance so the deal can be closed.
Yay! We need another trade deal like we need a collective hole in our heads. That giant sucking sound....
19
It's sad that the only thing that can block this mess are issues that corporations care about. Food and drug safety, human trafficking and jobs aren't a concern but if corporate profits are impacted, they stand their ground. This entire process is a disgrace and the Obama administration and any Democrats that voted for fast track should be ashamed. Clinton needs to have her feet held to the fire on this one!
29
Everyone loves to hate the pharmaceutical companies, but the reality is that if there isn't some protection of their intellectual property, then the investment in R&D isn't justified. There's a few blockbusters that everyone can point to and say, "look how rich these greedy pigs are!" but there are many, many more failures.
The population is getting older and these drugs save lives, not to mention help allow a semblance of normalcy for those with mental illness.
And if you really think they're so greedy, then get in on the action! They're publicly traded...
The population is getting older and these drugs save lives, not to mention help allow a semblance of normalcy for those with mental illness.
And if you really think they're so greedy, then get in on the action! They're publicly traded...
2
How about a trade agreement that dismantles the trade barriers facing Americans who wish to buy their pharmaceuticals on world markets? Free markets anyone?
It will be delicious watching Hillary squirm through this. She's going to have to resort to a weasel-word Thesaurus.
18
Biggest topic missing from these negotiations is the effect of more and more trans-oceanic trade on CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS and GLOBAL WARMING and OCEAN ACIDIFICATION. Shipping put out 18% of carbon dioxide emissions. Do we want to kill our civilization quickly by more and endlessly more consumption consumption under the idea of growth growth growth, which of course will collapse.
4
If Obama's TPP deal fails, will the Times and the rest of the mainstream media actually hold OBAMA accountable, and not blame the Republicans, Trump or GW Bush?
Holding Barack Obama responsible for something he does wrong?
It's never happened.
This could be history.
Holding Barack Obama responsible for something he does wrong?
It's never happened.
This could be history.
15
Anything good that happens while Obama is in office (death of Osama Bin Laden, by Seal Team Six) is entirely due to HIMSELF... I've actually read countless times that "Obama KILLED Osama Bin Laden", as if he pulled the trigger.
Anything BAD that happens while Obama is in office....is directly the fault of George Bush or Dick Cheney or the GOP or the Tea Party or even Sarah Palin (unelected!).
It's very simple. Obama is always right. He is the messiah/savior of the Democrats and everything he does is magical and perfect.
Anything BAD that happens while Obama is in office....is directly the fault of George Bush or Dick Cheney or the GOP or the Tea Party or even Sarah Palin (unelected!).
It's very simple. Obama is always right. He is the messiah/savior of the Democrats and everything he does is magical and perfect.
1
The setback for Pacific Trade may be a moment where briefly losing face is in America's longterm interest. And an even rarer occasion in which legislators' skepticism is more grounded than President Obama's confidence. United States jobs are at stake. Let this one pass and keep American jobs here.
3
This is not a negotiation in which GW Bush and Dick Cheney negotiate with themselves and decide to use Congress's yellow light and invade Iraq.
This involves 12 nations and difficult issues and if it works, it works, and if it can't be done now, we made a good effort and we try another day. Thanks to President Obama and his administration for getting us this far.
This involves 12 nations and difficult issues and if it works, it works, and if it can't be done now, we made a good effort and we try another day. Thanks to President Obama and his administration for getting us this far.
David in Toledo, Thanks to Obama and his ilk for giving us one of the worst trade bills destined to destroy what little is left of the so called middle class.
I watch TV Japan and nearly every day the news on Japanese TV covers the TPP discussions and the ramifications of the deals countries are putting forth. In the US, the TPP discussions are hardly ever mentioned, though the ramifications of the agreement being implemented are enormous. I'm glad to see it break down.
33
Great news! We don't need to give more handouts to big Pharma. They seem to use any windfalls to buy out or eliminate their competition so they can play the role of the classical monopolist.
9
Wonderful news as we head off to the weekend!
8
I wish the Times would give Obama a break, he needs time to concede everything, surrender unilaterally and give away every potential American advantage before the deal is accepted.
Surrender takes time. Appeasement is an art form. And Obama is our Matisse.
Surrender takes time. Appeasement is an art form. And Obama is our Matisse.
7
The "intellectual property rights" of pharmaceutical companies are an outrage. We need a system that brings medicines cheaply and quickly to the world's poor. Pharma's excess profits may contribute a little to R&D, but more goes to advertizing (including direct marketing to doctors) and shareholder value. Much of basic research that discovers new drugs is paid for with public research funds already. Pharma reaps the profits. One has only to visit India and see drug prices (from big, reputable producers) that are a small fraction of US prices to recognize the drug monopoly scam (long exclusive copyrights) that the US would extend over the world. The failure of a trade deal that would jack up drug prices to poor people is something to celebrate. If we have to wait longer for the next wonder drug for erectile dysfunction, so be it.
6
The term, “United States”, here seems to be synonymous with and only a euphemism for "Big Business".
A setback for the “United States” sounds like a short-term victory for people everywhere, including Americans.
Apparently, we’re relying on countries like Australia, Chile, and New Zealand to defend us against the “United States”. Kind of numbing.
A setback for the “United States” sounds like a short-term victory for people everywhere, including Americans.
Apparently, we’re relying on countries like Australia, Chile, and New Zealand to defend us against the “United States”. Kind of numbing.
42
Good. I hope it continues to fall apart. This is the "secret" deal that we the people are not privy to the details and Congress cannot tell us. Some deal, huh?
25
The environmental and wildlife protections are just lipstick on this pig. They're probably not enforceable, and even if they are enforceable, they won't be enforced if it interferes with profit-making. This agreement is not being done to protect wildlife or the environment, but to enable the big guys to grab an ever larger share of the pie.
275
True True True
NO ONE is enforcing any of the worker protection and environmental "agreements" we heard about were in the NAFTA trade deal. How many union active workers have been murdered or car bombed when they try to organize workers in South America? It is not just coincidence!!!
NO ONE is enforcing any of the worker protection and environmental "agreements" we heard about were in the NAFTA trade deal. How many union active workers have been murdered or car bombed when they try to organize workers in South America? It is not just coincidence!!!
1
Exactly!
And, they will never be enforced on white guys shooting for fun!
Here's a thought: the negotiating team should just agree to weaken or give up on controversial issues regarding pharmaceuticals and agriculture subsidies. That would satisfy other countries, as well as part of the domestic criticism of this deal. I would think that if these two issues were missing, then Democratic opposition would have to come in the form of naked protectionism for domestic jobs, which some members of that caucus wouldn't push. Then use some of the benefits from trade to subsidize workers who are likely to be affected by this agreement, and you might actually get something worth supporting out of it.
1
That's okay. I didn't like the trade deal anyway. Hope it bombs. But my hat is still off to Obama for the ACA, the Iran Peace Agreement and for agreeing to stand up for Planned Parenthood. You go Obama!
37
Yes, but this terrible blind spot of Obama's - caving in to Wall Street from day one - will be his biggest and most negative legacy. Should we expect him to rush into corporate hands immediately after his term ends like his first attorney general?
You obviously don't get it. These conflabs are not intended to produce results but to provide all expenses paid vacations for the participants. How 'bout holding all future US-based conferences in Detroit, which clearly needs the money.
49
No more trade conflabs!
Let's be honest here. The protection of pharmaceutical patents for as much as twelve years has less to do with shielding these companies from competition as they recoup costs for development than it has to do with shielding exorbitant pharmaceutical company profits and the salaries of industry CEOs. When these companies routinely spend more money on marketing than on research, then it sounds to me like we need to ask what is is exactly we are protecting with these patents.
368
It was reported elsewhere (Reuters, I think) that the U.S. stood alone in its insistence on 12 years of protection for biologic patents and data exclusivity, with ALL the other nations in opposition. Australia pushed hard for its 5-year standard, and it looked as though a compromise might be 7 or 8 years. So instead of strong-arming the others to accept our highly preferential treatment of drug companies, "harmonization" would have required us to reduce the number of years of protection here. Republican Orin Hatch had made the 12-year guarantee a "red line" issue for his and others' support, so we, too, walked away from a deal.
In my opinion Big Pharma has become an international criminal syndicate. They routinely lie about their research results, bribe doctors, allow harm to occur to millions of innocent sick people, bribe congress (lobbying), commit Medicare fraud and promote drugs for diseases and disorders they are not approved for. And they don't do research anymore, they wait until venture capitalist's fund research, cherry pick the one's that guarantee them billions of dollars of profits and buy their patent's.
http://projects.propublica.org/graphics/bigpharma
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_pharmaceutical_settlements
https://www.citizen.org/documents/2073.pdf
http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/bmj-escalating-criminal-behavior-by-pha...
http://www.cspinet.org/integrity/tell_truth.html
http://projects.propublica.org/graphics/bigpharma
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_pharmaceutical_settlements
https://www.citizen.org/documents/2073.pdf
http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/bmj-escalating-criminal-behavior-by-pha...
http://www.cspinet.org/integrity/tell_truth.html
What have they developed lately other than drugs that ran the risk of a more than a four hour erection?
1
"Australia, Chile and New Zealand also continue to resist the United States push to protect the intellectual property of major pharmaceutical companies for as much as 12 years, shielding them from generic competition as they recoup the cost of developing next-generation “biologic” medicines."
Well, that's a credulous regurgitation of PhRMA talking points. Perhaps you should actually ask the people who oppose these provisions whether they think they are about recouping "the cost of developing next-generation “biologic” medicines." Given the appalling lack of transparency about development costs, who would know? And what about the many medicines that pharmaceutical companies license from academic researchers?
Poor reporting.
Well, that's a credulous regurgitation of PhRMA talking points. Perhaps you should actually ask the people who oppose these provisions whether they think they are about recouping "the cost of developing next-generation “biologic” medicines." Given the appalling lack of transparency about development costs, who would know? And what about the many medicines that pharmaceutical companies license from academic researchers?
Poor reporting.
90
Any deal that is designed to 'protect' big pharma is DOA in my opinion. We in the US and the people of the world need protection from the pill pushers. They are killing us and impoverishing us all. I am now diametrically opposed to this deal based on the disclosure that the US and the Obama Admin are really just trying to protect and promote one of the most vicious and destructive forces in the world; big pharma. I wonder if the Obama Admin has been as adamant about protecting workers rights and the environment?
143
"And they agreed on a code of conduct and against conflicts of interest for arbitrators who would serve on extrajudicial tribunals"
That'll solve the problems with the special courts run by corporate lawyers for the corporations to extort money for loss of expected profits because of a countries laws, rules, regulations and court decisions....
NOT EVEN CLOSE
That'll solve the problems with the special courts run by corporate lawyers for the corporations to extort money for loss of expected profits because of a countries laws, rules, regulations and court decisions....
NOT EVEN CLOSE
51
Talks for Pacific Trade Deal Stall at a Critical Step
Good news.
Good news.
79
Good maybe one day the people who would be bound by this agreement will be trusted enough to read the failed TPP and see how their respective governments were will to sell them out.
25
I'm not holding my breath, but please, for the sake of American jobs, labor conditions in Southeast Asia, and the environment, end this poorly-considered and oppressive bill.
We don't want it.
We don't want it.
209
Nice to finally get a little information about the specifics of these negotiations. But they've been altogether too secretive to merit any trust from the American public, especially considering the power they would give private corporations over national governments. I'm sure most Americans will be happy to hear this latest news.
101
The talks breaking down is the best news I've heard all day. I only hope that the TPP will go away along with the Keystone XL pipeline.
135
Ding dong the witch is dead! The wicked witch, the wicked witch! A secret dreadful deal that the world's people can only tap their shoes together to prevent.
1
From the little we have been allowed to know about the the TPP, it appears to be a frightening capitulation of national sovereignty to international corporations, and should be allowed to fail, with prejudice.
201
Have the liberals found a way to blame Donald Trump, George W. Bush, FOX News or the nearest Republican yet?
Even bypassing Congress illegally, Obama still can't get it right.
Even bypassing Congress illegally, Obama still can't get it right.
12
Huh? The republicans have been Obama's strongest supporters on this, from day one. Tell me, how many voted against giving him fast track authority last month? Or did they not report that on Faux Noise?
7
That's how it works.
Obama gets (i.e. tricks) establishment GOP to go along with him on fat cat bailouts and corporate giveaways. Then when it fails the news media blames the GOP.
Every time.
Yet people fail to see Obama as the corporatist, lying neocon sleaze that he really is. Even when the proof is staring you in the face.
Obama gets (i.e. tricks) establishment GOP to go along with him on fat cat bailouts and corporate giveaways. Then when it fails the news media blames the GOP.
Every time.
Yet people fail to see Obama as the corporatist, lying neocon sleaze that he really is. Even when the proof is staring you in the face.
All of these policies generally hurt consumers, which is why they are being fought over to the death of the agreement. The US consumer has overpaid for sugar for 80 years with the US Government in the thrall of the domestic sugar barons. A classic commodity that is the same all over the world and we are barred from the world price; not a surprise that other countries act as we do to protect favored groups while the whole point of this agreement was to aid trade not protectionism. Someday they might do better. As to Big Pharma, no sympathy for them as the US consumer pays 10x the world price for many drugs and the US Government stands by to protect Pfizer and others; too bad for us, yet again.
84
Only goes to show that the Chinese have the upper hand and the economic momentum, and that the US cannot offer enough to stop those trading partners who do business with China because they benefit more thru economic relations with China than with the US.
This whole Pacific Trade Deal was misconstrued to benefit American traders, not Asian traders, to stop them from doing business with China and do business with America.
The chicken came home and is roosting - no deal. The US also needs to stop military defense of SEATO, since the Asian partners do not need military defense.
This whole Pacific Trade Deal was misconstrued to benefit American traders, not Asian traders, to stop them from doing business with China and do business with America.
The chicken came home and is roosting - no deal. The US also needs to stop military defense of SEATO, since the Asian partners do not need military defense.
8
SEATO never was for "defense" of the "Asian partners." It was always to maintain Wall Street control of Southeast Asia, and Southeast Asian economies. The "Asian partners" were puppet state military dictatorships such as in Indonesia and Thailand, where the governments were imposed by the CIA though wholesale slaughter of the population in Indonesia and the massacre of students in Thailand. The countries weren't threatened by any foreign power, then or now.
1
I hope this deal fails for the good of the 99%. This is some of the best news I've read in a long time. It's about time someone woke and opposed Obama, the false Democrat.
49
As an American citizen I applaud Australia, New Zealand and Chile for their stand on the issue of intellectual property. The pharmaceutical industry is already too profitable and too powerful; unconscionable revenues scraped from the skins of vulnerable people around the world that could go into more R&D goes instead into dividends.
But the real poison pill here is the extrajudicial tribunals...if you need a judicial device outside of national courts then form an international tribunal. If anyone believes that what will become a community of arbitrators will behave in an ethical fashion when deciding between a nation-state with diverse interests and a corporation with the sole interest of making a greater profit, you are in serious need of psychiatric attention.
But the real poison pill here is the extrajudicial tribunals...if you need a judicial device outside of national courts then form an international tribunal. If anyone believes that what will become a community of arbitrators will behave in an ethical fashion when deciding between a nation-state with diverse interests and a corporation with the sole interest of making a greater profit, you are in serious need of psychiatric attention.
140
You'd think the U.S. would be in favor of lowering its own citizens' drug costs; that they wouldn't push for the 12 year protection before generics can be sold. Who'd of thunk?!
200
There isn't a lot of incentive for a pharma company to invest hundreds of millions of dollars developing a new drug if it can be replicated by others in a couple of years. Developing drugs is like drilling for oil -- sometimes you hit a gusher, but lots of times you end up with a dry hole.
4
Pushing for protection would lower the drug costs for US citizens, indirectly. If foreigners bear more of the cost of US drug R&D, it would lower the investment threshold and lead to more/cheaper drugs.
Trade negotiators are working to protect corporate profits not consumers.
1
Great news. Three cheers for Australia, Chile and New Zealand.
72
Please note it is Obama pushing for the trade protections for multinationals.
He's done more for major corporations than W.
He's done more for major corporations than W.
47
Please don't point out the 18th way Barack Obama is just like (or worse than) George W. Bush.
Liberals break out in hives when you tell the truth.
Liberals break out in hives when you tell the truth.
4
DCBarrister, liberals don't need your help in order to know the truth about Obama, Bush, Bush, Bush, or any other Big Business president or candidate.
2
adding a counter - cultural voice, the tpp and its european equivalent offer the potential to substantially stoke gdp growth for the long-term. yes, there will be adjustments as some domestic injuries and occupations wane in the face of competition and others flourish in the broader access to markets. government programs to support re-training affected citizens is the best way to handle the adjustment dislocation. many, many studies have consistently revealed that there is free trade induces both net employment and gdp growth. all to say, i'm quite dismayed that so many are willing to toss away such an impactful and strategic opportunity.
1
Yes....the barristas and Wal*Mart greeters can breath easier
3
Good. This is a sellout of the American worker. Ironic isn't it that at the same time the useless House of Representatives also passed a bill to help out American workers who lose their jobs because of this. It's like poisoning someone and justifying it by administering antidote.
If you liked NAFTA you'll love this disaster.
If you liked NAFTA you'll love this disaster.
110
Yes! Let this piece of corporate welfare die!
67
Great!!! Hooray for the Ameican worker. We can have all sorts of trade deals that don't hurt the middle class. How about one of those.
12
No more trade deals, none. Tariffs are low, we won't pry open any new markets, most provisions left are not enforcable, no more. We are done.
1
History cannot deny Obama his legacy: he waged the lonely and courageous struggle on behalf of Big Pharma.
22
Good!
This was a giveaway to powerful corporations--to drug companies that already charge too much because Congress has prevented the government from bargaining for better prices for drugs used in the medicare and medicaid programs. And overcharge in other countries too.
When will these companies be forced to give our government an ownership share in return for the government's extensive research funding of these new drugs? Right now, even when some drugs ares sold for $30,000 PER MONTHLY DOSAGE, the drug cos keep it all.
Free competition is banned. US govt can not bargain for lower price. We (liek me) are forbidden to order Rx from Canada.
Now they try to get more protection in this TPP. Yet they say this is free enterprise.
Glad IF this is defeated. Time will tell, IF we write to Congress people.
This was a giveaway to powerful corporations--to drug companies that already charge too much because Congress has prevented the government from bargaining for better prices for drugs used in the medicare and medicaid programs. And overcharge in other countries too.
When will these companies be forced to give our government an ownership share in return for the government's extensive research funding of these new drugs? Right now, even when some drugs ares sold for $30,000 PER MONTHLY DOSAGE, the drug cos keep it all.
Free competition is banned. US govt can not bargain for lower price. We (liek me) are forbidden to order Rx from Canada.
Now they try to get more protection in this TPP. Yet they say this is free enterprise.
Glad IF this is defeated. Time will tell, IF we write to Congress people.
39
But the NYT reported that, if Obama received congressional approval, he then would have the leverage to close the deal. It was a selling point.
Oh well, everyone knows that was just hot air. But it makes for fun reporting and reading. Nothing to do with reality. Duh, this is DC.
Oh well, everyone knows that was just hot air. But it makes for fun reporting and reading. Nothing to do with reality. Duh, this is DC.
15
"as they [ big pharma] recoup the cost of developing next-generation “biologic” medicines.
Surely you jest, NY Times. Just a little bit of research would show that R&D is not a major cost of development. Marketing costs exceed development costs (http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28212223) and a lot of early development is done using taxpayer dollars which those that run drug companies then incorporate into their private patents (https://www.publicknowledge.org/news-blog/blogs/if-taxpayers-pay-for-it-...
Surely you jest, NY Times. Just a little bit of research would show that R&D is not a major cost of development. Marketing costs exceed development costs (http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28212223) and a lot of early development is done using taxpayer dollars which those that run drug companies then incorporate into their private patents (https://www.publicknowledge.org/news-blog/blogs/if-taxpayers-pay-for-it-...
241
A testament to this, is just spend some time watching TV or reading national magazines. Then, count how many "ask your doctor" ads run by drug companies. Each one adds to the cost of one's prescription. Each one adds to the cost of health care. And the doctor, you are asking, is getting their "cut". To extend the patents to 12 years, means more of these ads, and more higher costs. Greed shows no bounds.
19
Your reasoning is faulty. What matters for drug companies is the return to investment in R&D. Marketing is something else, with its own return to investment, etc. As it happens, it makes more sense for rich drug companies to market the hell out of pointless and minor medicines, because that's what makes money. If they could make more money with breakthrough cures, they'd do that too.
Both those pages are "no longer found." I sure wonder what happened to them!
"but a final agreement would force the Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton to declare her position, which she has avoided."
Oh dear dear there's the problem. American elites want the TPP to go through, and it just wouldn't do if Ms. Clinton had actually to decide. If she comes out for the TPP, she risks losing the nomination to (gasp) a Socialist; and if she comes out against, then people might actually hold her to her word if she gets into office.
Oh dear dear there's the problem. American elites want the TPP to go through, and it just wouldn't do if Ms. Clinton had actually to decide. If she comes out for the TPP, she risks losing the nomination to (gasp) a Socialist; and if she comes out against, then people might actually hold her to her word if she gets into office.
154
You voted for romney, didn't you?
We will no doubt be stuck with this dog, and more money will be harvested from us on behalf of smooth and profitable world trade; but it would almost be worth it if Clinton had to declare herself.
That this is considered a problem proves how little she is prepared, or able, to address the problems that the vast majority of us face.
That this is considered a problem proves how little she is prepared, or able, to address the problems that the vast majority of us face.
It's nearly mind boggling that the Obama people seek to protect the monumental pharma syndicate in this agreement when in fact the American people need protection from the same syndicate.
4
Considering what it in this so called "deal"; it should fall apart. It is one thing to have fair trade; it is quite another to give corporations carte blanche. This was a job killer for countries like the United States, Canada and Australia, as companies would have much more power, and would move jobs and their and operations to less developed Asian countries.
The idea that a drug company could prevent the manufacture of generic drugs and extend their monopoly on drugs is one of the bad features parts of this so called "deal": Not only in the Us, but wherever this trade deal is in force.
Thus, let this ill conceived deal die. Globalization has already done enough damage; this "deal" will makea bad situation; worse.
The idea that a drug company could prevent the manufacture of generic drugs and extend their monopoly on drugs is one of the bad features parts of this so called "deal": Not only in the Us, but wherever this trade deal is in force.
Thus, let this ill conceived deal die. Globalization has already done enough damage; this "deal" will makea bad situation; worse.
228
Nick,
Hopefully the little people of Asia will save us from this horrible idea and the clutches of big pill. Americans need to look in the mirror and realize just how small, powerless and muted they have been rendered by the power elites in the USA. In the nations that still cling to 'self governance' there are few people who are more disregarded and marginalized and powerless than Americans.
Hopefully the little people of Asia will save us from this horrible idea and the clutches of big pill. Americans need to look in the mirror and realize just how small, powerless and muted they have been rendered by the power elites in the USA. In the nations that still cling to 'self governance' there are few people who are more disregarded and marginalized and powerless than Americans.
1
Patents are entirely a creation of government in the first place.
1
Well,so much for "globalization"We are secure here in the US.We can protect our sugar industry,our agricultural industry.All US corporations are designed to act against the US population.So,you desire an autarkic economy,just like present day North Korea,and historically,Germany of 1933-1936,or Enver Hoxha*s 1985 Albania.Everything amiss in the US is the result of globalization;it*s indisputable.Globalization has done "damage"Better if you support that statement with documentation.How free trade agreements have come to be described as "job killers"is not supported by documentation.The often quoted number of job loss consequent of NAFTA is 680,000-700,000 jobs.In 1994.I think an inquiry into this will show the figures to be accurate,but were offsef by job creation in the US and Mexico.Its*s regularly stated that manufacturing exited the US because of 1994 NAFTA.I think the exiting began in the 1970*s.
1
Unfortunately, this failure has to be counted as good news for the American people. It's sad that US negotiators are vehemently pushing for things that US corporations want but the US people don't even want.
348
And here I was thinking the American people wanted jobs. Just as well, since we're all so exceptional that it's certain we'll be better off being self-employed. After all, why let some middle-man take a cut when we can easily keep it all for ourselves?
1
Who appointed you to speak for the American people? I for one think our economy is easily the most dynamic in the world, and that's due in no small part to our openness. Despite the proverbial middle-class squeeze Sen. Warren is so fond of talking about, our recent grads don't enter into a world of 25% unemployment.
1
You hit the nail on the head. I have no idea where Obama's head is on this matter. That's why I worry when he wants to 'adjust' S. Security. It would also be a very bad idea.
2
If they really are heading toward failure, then bravo. There have been too many of these gigantic deals. All they've brought us is a bland, homogenous world that is deadening.
165
Let's hope the countries trying to deal with the US delegation realize they are not negotiating with the US government, but rather with a gigantic pharmaceutical and agribusiness conglomerate.
12
Do you ever look at the USTR*s website and "click"on the link to the Free Trade Agreements into which the US has entered?You can access those 14 agreements along with the proposed TPP and TTIP.So you*re opposed to the present arrangements with Chile,Israel,Bahrain,and the 11 others.You*d prefer no trade?You*re in favor of autarky? Like the present North Korea, and the historical examples of Germany(1933-1936) or Enver Hoxha*s Albania of 1985?These are economies the US needs to emulate?As of 2013,of the 4 largest trading partners of the US,Canada was no.1,no.2 was China(not a part of the TPP,or TTIP)no.3 was Mexico,no.4 was Japan.So,these trades have "brought us a bland,homogeneous world that is deadening"?Except for the raised standards of living in those 14 countries.You*re not interested in raising standards of living
2
David, surely you know that opposing the TPP or any particular trade agreement is not opposing trade.
In fact, the TPP will do little for trade. It has a lot more to do with rights, especially corporate rights.
In fact, the TPP will do little for trade. It has a lot more to do with rights, especially corporate rights.
7
I hope he fails miserably in this and even more strongly I do NOT want Hillary Clinton as POTUS. She would have all of Obama's weak points and few of his trong, including a GOP and McCain like Foreign policy that would reverse Obama's intelligent lack of enthusiasm for foreign policy war policy. She would also be a dream for Bibi and we do not need a return to the 'see no evil' policies of the AIPAC norm,