The TPP and massive unrestricted immigration policies, including millions of unskilled immigrants as well as highly educated H1B1 immigrants granted Visas have reduced jobs for natural born adult Americans drastically. How can anyone be against American workers?
Hm... the Left should love Trump for this. Noam Chomsky warned that the TPP is "designed to carry forward the neoliberal project to maximize profit and domination, and to set the working people in the world in competition with one another so as to lower wages to increase insecurity." Bernie Sanders said the TPP "ended up devastating working families and enriching large corporations." And according to Robert Reich, the TPP is a "Trojan horse in a global race to the bottom."
3
It is entirely possible the TPP is/was all theater, a ruse to convince us who's side Trump is on. On its face this is a good thing, but how about proving its NOT just for show...how about giving NAFTA the axe...TOMORROW. That would convince me of his intentions. Getting us out of a trade deal we weren't technically even in yet just sounds a bit thin on the surface.
3
Definitely theater.
1
Trump has said [and I agree] that the best negotiated deals give equal benefits to both parties - in effect a 50/50 partnership. Folks, don't forget that President Trump has been successful negotiating "deals" with politicians of all stripes - nationalities, races, ethnics, religions etc. etc. from the smallest local US political divisions to state and federal levels - as well as foreign leaders for at least 40 years. You and I may not be able to "see" his plan[s] to reach his stated goals however I believe he has a "master plan".
5
Dear BC:
Oh, he has a "master plan", to be sure. The last time I saw one it didn't turn out so well.
I have not forgotten Trump's claims he is a successful businessman. Claims is the key word. If you don't learn anything know this: Trump Lies.
The real reason Trump won't release his tax returns is because they would be an embarrassment. If would have no problem telling his adoring flock how rich he is if it were so. Like his political pronouncements Trump makes things up. Trump is exaggerating (Lying) about his wealth. It's the classic case of the man behind the curtain.
Trump says he's worth 10 billion? It's a lie. If he liquidated all assets, according to Bloomberg and Forbes, they calculate his worth at a quarter of that.
Trump's assets are tied up in much debt, loans owed. Trump is beholden to foreign banks because no New York bank will give him a loan. Trump has defaulted on them four times.
Trump is a cipher. His poorly politically educated followers don't get that. It's too complicated for them. They think if someone in Manhattan lives in a penthouse they must be rich. That's one of the biggest cons ever perpetrated on the American Trumpets.
DD
Manhattan
Oh, he has a "master plan", to be sure. The last time I saw one it didn't turn out so well.
I have not forgotten Trump's claims he is a successful businessman. Claims is the key word. If you don't learn anything know this: Trump Lies.
The real reason Trump won't release his tax returns is because they would be an embarrassment. If would have no problem telling his adoring flock how rich he is if it were so. Like his political pronouncements Trump makes things up. Trump is exaggerating (Lying) about his wealth. It's the classic case of the man behind the curtain.
Trump says he's worth 10 billion? It's a lie. If he liquidated all assets, according to Bloomberg and Forbes, they calculate his worth at a quarter of that.
Trump's assets are tied up in much debt, loans owed. Trump is beholden to foreign banks because no New York bank will give him a loan. Trump has defaulted on them four times.
Trump is a cipher. His poorly politically educated followers don't get that. It's too complicated for them. They think if someone in Manhattan lives in a penthouse they must be rich. That's one of the biggest cons ever perpetrated on the American Trumpets.
DD
Manhattan
6
Obama was a fine President....mostly.
But when this TPP was being fashioned, media mesmerized, hot topic of the day, at best a breath of fresh air from the 2016 election underway, I had to make up my mind on TPP.
Two things stood out:
1) Secret deals are NEVER a benefit to me, the people.
2) The vigorous strength Obama used pushing TPP always made me think he was running for President again. President of Vietnam. He spent too much time talking up Vietnamese benefits.
Human rights. Maybe.
Environmental improvements. A stretch of a thought considering we bombed them top to bottom, again and again.
My ears perked up in alert when Bernie Sanders said "TPP is bad for me...and you" in so many words.
I liked the way Bernie applauded Trump pronto, too, for trump-ling TPP to death by pen.
We don't know the Asian response.
We've never challenged them on trade, currency manipulation, pollution, or anything, in fear they would no longer buy our mounting debt.
We have a serious backlog of USA house cleaning to do this Spring. Saying "so long" to TPP is a nice start.
But when this TPP was being fashioned, media mesmerized, hot topic of the day, at best a breath of fresh air from the 2016 election underway, I had to make up my mind on TPP.
Two things stood out:
1) Secret deals are NEVER a benefit to me, the people.
2) The vigorous strength Obama used pushing TPP always made me think he was running for President again. President of Vietnam. He spent too much time talking up Vietnamese benefits.
Human rights. Maybe.
Environmental improvements. A stretch of a thought considering we bombed them top to bottom, again and again.
My ears perked up in alert when Bernie Sanders said "TPP is bad for me...and you" in so many words.
I liked the way Bernie applauded Trump pronto, too, for trump-ling TPP to death by pen.
We don't know the Asian response.
We've never challenged them on trade, currency manipulation, pollution, or anything, in fear they would no longer buy our mounting debt.
We have a serious backlog of USA house cleaning to do this Spring. Saying "so long" to TPP is a nice start.
6
There were not a few troubling agreements in TPP that would have preempted American sovereignty. This may not bother the "One World Government" advocates, but I see no benefit to letting people representing other countries dictate American policy and procedures.
TPP deserves to be scrapped; Obama Administration was too concerned with their image amongst world "leaders" and not at all with image amongst Americans. To Obama and rest of Global Bolshevik Criminals, i.e., "democrats," we are just drones for them to amuse themselves with.
TPP deserves to be scrapped; Obama Administration was too concerned with their image amongst world "leaders" and not at all with image amongst Americans. To Obama and rest of Global Bolshevik Criminals, i.e., "democrats," we are just drones for them to amuse themselves with.
6
I am neuther mourning nor celebrating the demise if the TPP.
But the question I have is what is to be gained from killing it? Nearly everything we use is already made in China anyway. Perhaps the TPP could have moved manufacturing to some of these other Asian countries and diluted Chinese economic power. This might have a marginal affect on US econimic power.
Once Trump finishes his honeymoon of scorching existing policy, it will be nice to see some constructive proposals to achieve the stated goal of American greatness. What will really be interesting is whether he can get the Republican congress to participate in a program that seems in alot of ways to be very liberal.
But the question I have is what is to be gained from killing it? Nearly everything we use is already made in China anyway. Perhaps the TPP could have moved manufacturing to some of these other Asian countries and diluted Chinese economic power. This might have a marginal affect on US econimic power.
Once Trump finishes his honeymoon of scorching existing policy, it will be nice to see some constructive proposals to achieve the stated goal of American greatness. What will really be interesting is whether he can get the Republican congress to participate in a program that seems in alot of ways to be very liberal.
Badger, your statement, " Nearly everything we use is already made in China anyway" is exactly the point. We need to make goods in the USA, to provide jobs to Americans.
6
On principle I'm for repealing anything Obama signed because we all know he hates our country, hates our prosperity, hates our strength, hates our founding principles, hates our military and hates our freedoms. And we all know he's certainly not for free trade. So I don't know what's in the TPP, but I guarantee you it doesn't promote free trade. I'm sure it has rules favoring certain businesses and industries over others, lots of rules to please the global warming crowd, slush funds to his favorite radical groups and all kinds of other nonsense. We shouldn't need hundreds and thousands of pages to set out rules for anything.
6
This profoundly uneducated line of thinking is part of the reason Trump is where he is today - voters who didn't care what Trump said, did, or lied about, or whether he was actually fit, professionally and otherwise, to hold the office to which he aspired. He was going to undo Obama's work, and that was all that was really important. Even better that he made those promises under the starry-eyed mantra of "Make America Great Again". It's a mantra that looks good on hats and bumper stickers, but whether it's good for America remains to be seen. But forget questioning and critical thinking; after all, we're finally rid of the levelheaded, intelligent guy who had a grasp of the English language, never had a Twitter meltdown and didn't think global warming was a hoax. And you may not know what's in TPP, but let's chuck it entirely since it had Obama's signature on it. Greatness, here we come!
7
@Lindsay K: I don't know how serious the OP was in his/her provocative post, but one line stuck out to me as a very serious & valid reason to reject the deal: "I don't know what's in the TPP".
We are supposed to be a democracy, which means our elected delegates (leaders) are supposed to represent and enact the People's will, not sign secret deals behind our backs while telling us to keep away and let businessmen decide what's good for us. Obama may have been in part a "levelheaded, intelligent guy who had a grasp of the English language, never had a Twitter meltdown and didn't think global warming was a hoax", but he manifested a clear denial of democracy, and an exclusive commitment to corporate interests, by negotiating a likely noxious deal with only select business interests in the loop, excluding representatives of the American People. I find it worrisome that some people are so bedazzled by their blind love for Obama to question even his most shocking actions. I guess you're not so different from the "deplorable" crowd.
We are supposed to be a democracy, which means our elected delegates (leaders) are supposed to represent and enact the People's will, not sign secret deals behind our backs while telling us to keep away and let businessmen decide what's good for us. Obama may have been in part a "levelheaded, intelligent guy who had a grasp of the English language, never had a Twitter meltdown and didn't think global warming was a hoax", but he manifested a clear denial of democracy, and an exclusive commitment to corporate interests, by negotiating a likely noxious deal with only select business interests in the loop, excluding representatives of the American People. I find it worrisome that some people are so bedazzled by their blind love for Obama to question even his most shocking actions. I guess you're not so different from the "deplorable" crowd.
2
RE: Repealing PPT, ACA
Trump' inability or refusal to see beyond the immediate gratification of action to its long-term consequences is among the most dangerous examples of his astounding incompetence. Perhaps he truly does not understand the complexity of global economics or the effects of US isolationism in the 21st century. Details may be beyond his interest or ability to understand. Progress in all areas means change, adaption, innovation. Automation, science, technology redefine or replace outdated opportunities while opening new unimagined possibilities. The rock solid key to providing success to all Americans depends on EDUCATION and our willingness - and the willingness especially of those whose industries offer greater efficiency with fewer human jobs - to retrain, reeducate, accept the reality of change for themselves and their children.
DEVOS must not be confirmed. More than 90% of American children are educated in public schools: she is determined to destroy/eliminate that system. It must be improved not crippled.
Trump' inability or refusal to see beyond the immediate gratification of action to its long-term consequences is among the most dangerous examples of his astounding incompetence. Perhaps he truly does not understand the complexity of global economics or the effects of US isolationism in the 21st century. Details may be beyond his interest or ability to understand. Progress in all areas means change, adaption, innovation. Automation, science, technology redefine or replace outdated opportunities while opening new unimagined possibilities. The rock solid key to providing success to all Americans depends on EDUCATION and our willingness - and the willingness especially of those whose industries offer greater efficiency with fewer human jobs - to retrain, reeducate, accept the reality of change for themselves and their children.
DEVOS must not be confirmed. More than 90% of American children are educated in public schools: she is determined to destroy/eliminate that system. It must be improved not crippled.
5
Before she was against this treaty Hillary Clinton was for it. Perhaps the author of this article should have done a modicum of research and find out why the Democratic candidate for President of the United States was first for it then campaigned against it. I'm sure she knows more about this treaty than the author and those commenting here. Agenda is constantly getting in the way of "truthyness."
3
Mrs. Clinton was for the TPP because she didn't want to anger the Obama loyalists, whose support she needed.
She was against it when she realized that millions of people were against the TPP.........because it would have removed more jobs from the USA.
Mr. Clinton became president with the 1992 theme, "It's the economy, stupid"...........that was posted in his campaign headquarters. Mrs. Clinton couldn't use that theme because it would have cost her votes. Ultimately, her failure to listen to her husband cost her the election.
She was against it when she realized that millions of people were against the TPP.........because it would have removed more jobs from the USA.
Mr. Clinton became president with the 1992 theme, "It's the economy, stupid"...........that was posted in his campaign headquarters. Mrs. Clinton couldn't use that theme because it would have cost her votes. Ultimately, her failure to listen to her husband cost her the election.
3
For such a great... and I mean really, really great businessman... the likes of which no one has ever seen... probably the greatest businessman ever... Mr. Trump seems to be painfully unaware of the 5th principal of economics.
4
abandoned? How about nixed. A trade deal negotiated without the input of the American people or even our legislators, how can that be good? It wasn't good in any way, shape or form and that Obama was so in favor of selling our rights to the highest bidder is the point you should be focusing on NYT. No wonder you're downsizing, corporate tools!
5
Let's get this straight for the first time in 40 years, we just allowed the oil industry to export our oil because we have ample supplies, and now Mr. Trump says we need to import it?
4
Yes, the jobs are coming back -- a generation from now, when the Chinese start building factories in the US to take advantage of cheap labor and lax environmental rules.
5
Great to be Winning again!
MAGA!
MAGA!
3
I thought agreements were voted on by Congress AND the President. I do remember that many in Congress - bipartisan - had concerns.
Does Trump believe he can just do as he likes without Congress? Don't we have laws and rules? If we are a country of balanced power between Congress, Supreme Court, and President, how is it one man can do this???
Does Trump believe he can just do as he likes without Congress? Don't we have laws and rules? If we are a country of balanced power between Congress, Supreme Court, and President, how is it one man can do this???
1
I heard TPP eliminated the Vietnam tariffs on skis that we would sell them. Oh now what are they going to do? I guess the Vietnamese will have to pay
extra for American made skis..Oh the hoar!
extra for American made skis..Oh the hoar!
1
By next week, it'll be like B.O. was never POTUS.
2
Trump is just signing things being handed to him. The last one was on environmental regulations---- he could hardly pronounce what he was reading.
2
Good job Trump! I love it! Following through on campaign promises and getting things done! Now lets triple the border patrol and start building that wall!
3
I only have superficial understanding of the workings of global economy. But I do understand that the TPP trade deals comprise the 11 emerging markets in the Pacific rim constituting 40% of the world's population. Shouldn't we tried to fix unfair deals in place instead of dumping the whole thing and antagonize these countries with a stroke of the pen. To negotiate individually for a better trade deal with these countries take time. How soon can that be done before China come up and take the mantle of leadership in that region - economically and militarily? The rustbelt states may gain some jobs back - at the expense of losing the opportunity to exports our product to the emerging economic powers in Asia. What have we done???
4
Both Bernie and Hillary would have opposed TPP too! Who edits this column? Its all part of the daily anti-Trump rant with no substance. The NYT has never provided even a rough synopsis of the complex parts of the TPP deal nor has any other news organization. There is no way any of these readers or citizens (and we must then assume, reporters and columnists) can make an informed comment on something they really know nothing about. This is a shameful dereliction of duty. It would take months to fully understand the possible results of this agreement and hundreds of pages to explain it thoroughly. The NYT would never take that on. The major agreements I worked on were run by industry lobbyists trying to make an extra buck for their clients regardless of the harm to the USA and its citizens. Wake up because the TPP is the same. "Free trade"? Since when? Throwing that misused term around is the same as the new practice of calling laws by the opposite of what they are most likely to accomplish (e.g., "America Invents Act" squashed inventions and their protection). Take care NYT because this road you are on is harming the credibility of the fourth estate, so necessary for our freedoms. Start looking at the news through the lens of how it broadly affects the USA and the world and not your identity politics or we are all doomed.
4
This is another glaring example of a very misleading piece, almost entirely one-sided opinion, on the NYTs front page. As usual, there is not a word in this piece about the now -$10 TRILLION of global, post-NAFTA net losses (and foreign borrowing) for even the broadest measure of import/export trade; trade deficits for goods alone are near -$13 TRILLION. This leaves your readers not knowing what they don't know any keeps many clueless about why anyone might support "Upending Bipartisan Trade Policy." Oh, and in case the NYTs didn't notice: both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump rejected the TPP during their election campaigns.
3
A lot of Trump's decisions will be based on petulance, not sense. We can only hope.
2
It is unfortunate that Trump's first act is to drop out of the TPP. China needs to be stopped. Dropping out of the TPP gives China more power. Trump sold out the American people to the Chinese. Trump just wants to make money from China.
2
There is something fundamentally wrong when, as the article states is: "The agreement, the largest regional trade accord ever," is not submitted to the senate for ratification as the Constitution requires, all because Obama wanted to avoid calling it a Treaty and thereby bypassing the senate.
So what exactly was in those 4,000 pages that Obama was hiding? It's not like we, the American people could trust him after all the lies he's told.
Not to mention that any agreement that is 4,000 pages long shouldn't even be considered in the first place. That was proven after the 2,000 page ObamaCare fiasco and the; 'We have to pass it to find out what's in it' nonsense.
So what exactly was in those 4,000 pages that Obama was hiding? It's not like we, the American people could trust him after all the lies he's told.
Not to mention that any agreement that is 4,000 pages long shouldn't even be considered in the first place. That was proven after the 2,000 page ObamaCare fiasco and the; 'We have to pass it to find out what's in it' nonsense.
5
Trump returns to concepts proved wrong under Reagan. His objective is not to improve US economy but to reduce state structures and spending, in order to leave more resources for the private sector. He is in fact an enemy of the state, controlling central institutions. Budget control is abandoned, taxes cut, producing a growing public debt to be financed by coming generations. Reasonable politicians ( Europe) do exactly the opposite. Trump can drive the USA into bankruptcy. Isolationism decreases trade volume and will provoke protectionism from the others. A negative spiral hurting everybody. If he will install positive measures instead of stupidly destroying previous work remains to be seen.
3
Surprise? No - Trump said he was going to do this all along. Moreover, TPP was effectively dead before Obama left office, it was opposed by large numbers from both parties. This was never going to be part of Obama's "legacy. "
4
Well, it was, and is, going to be part of his negative legacy.
This reporting is very subtly negative in nature. Your writer is very biased toward his own opinion and without a proper understanding of economics.
This country needs a president who can correct our failing economy. The proper way is to improve our nation's GDP. This cannot happen under the GOP and Obama's former plan. For other nations to supply our goods reduces GDP and place's us deeper into the debt cycle. Why has Obama allowed us to be in $9 trillion more debt than when he started? Not because of his understanding of economics. The sad thing is that most politicians (on both sides) do not have an inkling about economics. For you to criticize President Trump’s policies places you on the side of the problem, not the solution. These new policies will allow American business and employment to grow, improving America's bottom line. It is workers that pay income taxes who provide the money to pay our bills, not welfare recipients or drug dealers. Real fair trade will accommodate the restoration of companies in the USA. Aren't you tired of cheap substitutes for real American products anyway? Lifting burdens on businesses will also increase the possibility of hiring more workers and producing more GDP. To improve America's economy, we need to put more Americans (not illegal immigrants) back to work. Why don't you cease from your little pity party and start concentrating on the solution? By the way, it is not America's job to promote globalism at its own expense.
This country needs a president who can correct our failing economy. The proper way is to improve our nation's GDP. This cannot happen under the GOP and Obama's former plan. For other nations to supply our goods reduces GDP and place's us deeper into the debt cycle. Why has Obama allowed us to be in $9 trillion more debt than when he started? Not because of his understanding of economics. The sad thing is that most politicians (on both sides) do not have an inkling about economics. For you to criticize President Trump’s policies places you on the side of the problem, not the solution. These new policies will allow American business and employment to grow, improving America's bottom line. It is workers that pay income taxes who provide the money to pay our bills, not welfare recipients or drug dealers. Real fair trade will accommodate the restoration of companies in the USA. Aren't you tired of cheap substitutes for real American products anyway? Lifting burdens on businesses will also increase the possibility of hiring more workers and producing more GDP. To improve America's economy, we need to put more Americans (not illegal immigrants) back to work. Why don't you cease from your little pity party and start concentrating on the solution? By the way, it is not America's job to promote globalism at its own expense.
4
Trump routinely imported immigrants on visas to work at his hotels,in his restaurants and at his golf courses despite the fact there were local Americans willing to do the work.
Not only that, but the merchandise Trump sells is entirely made overseas.
Outsourced to China, Mexico, and other countries.
It is magical thinking to believe America will become a giant in manufacturing.
Or that Trump can bring back imaginary jobs.
He has you guys buffaloed. Propaganda. Manipulation. Spin. Control. And
repetition of half-truths.
By the way, Peter Baker is an eminently respected writer.
Not only that, but the merchandise Trump sells is entirely made overseas.
Outsourced to China, Mexico, and other countries.
It is magical thinking to believe America will become a giant in manufacturing.
Or that Trump can bring back imaginary jobs.
He has you guys buffaloed. Propaganda. Manipulation. Spin. Control. And
repetition of half-truths.
By the way, Peter Baker is an eminently respected writer.
3
Revised headline:
"Trump repeals the Trans Pacific Partnership, bringing higher prices and product shortages to American consumers and businesses."
"Trump repeals the Trans Pacific Partnership, bringing higher prices and product shortages to American consumers and businesses."
2
Revised headline: Trump repeals the TPP, reducing unemployment, thus increasing buying power and demand for US made products.
2
History will treat Obama well. His successor, not well at all.
Destroying ACA and Trans Pacific Treaty will be judged historically as harmful, regressive actions by a deranged ego. History will measure 45's failures by how long it takes the US to restore decent healthcare and balanced trade relations, along with his many other destructive acts.
Destroying ACA and Trans Pacific Treaty will be judged historically as harmful, regressive actions by a deranged ego. History will measure 45's failures by how long it takes the US to restore decent healthcare and balanced trade relations, along with his many other destructive acts.
4
I do understand the frustrations by some. Just as Mr. Obama was never my President, I learned to live with it. So the same is expected of the opposite side while Mr. Trump is President.
2
Ideology TRUMPS reason. Republicans are playing with our government for their own gain and for the rich few.
7
Funny, the rich did better than ever under Obama. And they donated in record numbers to Obama's campaign and to Hillary also. You guys ever going to admit the truth that your party is the party of Wall Street?
4
One of the biggest gaffes Trump made during the Republican debates was when he brayed that the TPP was a "horrible deal" with China - and Rand Paul dropped the mike on him by drily pointing out China was not only NOT part of the TPP but the TPP was intended to position a US led trade pact against Chinese trade dominance. I sincerely hope the trump did a little more homework since then BEFORE signing the order, although his continuing profession of believe in Alternate Facts like the millions more that voted for HRC were all dead or illegal gives me little confidence. Would the Trump minions that monitor this Dishonest Newspaper please send a note to your Leader advising China was not /is not a participant to the TPP?
3
The fact the Trump won Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, all states that would be hurt by TPP, if he hadn't have scrapped it, the press would be screaming about him not keeping his promises.
There are many things that can be done with taxation policies to keep and return jobs to the rust belt. TJTC can be expanded, and enhanced to provide more incentives for domestic hiring, as well regulations relief.
Democrats want migration of populations to urban centers in order to build a bigger political base, but developing smaller cities is actually more economically and environmentally sustainable. Yes it also benefits the Republicans politically too. Make no mistake about it, politics is driving this.
However, which plan is better for America?
There are many things that can be done with taxation policies to keep and return jobs to the rust belt. TJTC can be expanded, and enhanced to provide more incentives for domestic hiring, as well regulations relief.
Democrats want migration of populations to urban centers in order to build a bigger political base, but developing smaller cities is actually more economically and environmentally sustainable. Yes it also benefits the Republicans politically too. Make no mistake about it, politics is driving this.
However, which plan is better for America?
5
"President Trump upended America’s traditional, bipartisan trade policy on Monday..."
Somehow, article fails to note that the "bipartisan" consensus during the 2016 presidential campaign (Clinton as well as Trump) was anti-TTP. Strange omission.
Somehow, article fails to note that the "bipartisan" consensus during the 2016 presidential campaign (Clinton as well as Trump) was anti-TTP. Strange omission.
10
I find it absolutely incredible that THE ENVIRONMENT is NEVER covered in articles about trade deals - you realize this TPP deal required arbitration, but more importantly REQUIRED that actors be compensated IN ADVANCE if environmental laws proposed by governments would hurt their bottom line!!! So we pass a law to try to stop plastic pollution in the ocean, and we have to pay plastic users because that might hurt their profits???
Where is that issue, in ANY of these TPP articles? TPP was a HORRIBLE deal for the fate of the earth, and I am sorry to tell you, we only got one earth, and it is experiencing the sixth great extinction and global warming because of HUMAN ACTIVITY. Lets see how far we get without bees, and morally, how can we just kill all the other species because we want some plastic junk to be from India and not China!!!
Stop deals that hurt the environment!!!
Where is that issue, in ANY of these TPP articles? TPP was a HORRIBLE deal for the fate of the earth, and I am sorry to tell you, we only got one earth, and it is experiencing the sixth great extinction and global warming because of HUMAN ACTIVITY. Lets see how far we get without bees, and morally, how can we just kill all the other species because we want some plastic junk to be from India and not China!!!
Stop deals that hurt the environment!!!
7
You have hit the nail on the head. TPP said the USA would buy their goods and if the USA did not buy their goods, the US government would have to pay the amount the Asian government would have received from sale of the goods to the USA.
Don't want to buy fish raised on fecal matter? Tough. Either buy the fish or pay for the fish and we will sell them to someone else.
It was heads I win, tails you lose.
Don't want to buy fish raised on fecal matter? Tough. Either buy the fish or pay for the fish and we will sell them to someone else.
It was heads I win, tails you lose.
5
I doubt Obama cares about his "legacy." He cares about the results he's achieved, the people he's helped, and the dignity he brought to the office while facing innumerable obstacles.
His legacy will last forever no matter how much the Republicans try to dismantle it.
His legacy will last forever no matter how much the Republicans try to dismantle it.
3
Please identify the results the Obama Administration has achieved. And the "Americans" he helped. Arguably, the second term of Obama was one of the most divisive in America's recent domestic history. Ethnic and domestic regional relations plunged. (And the future appears even more hostile.) Dignity was shown in the international community, but why wouldn't it. Their interests were being served.
1
that is where you are wrong Mike, the only thing o-blame-o cared about was his legacy.
1
The fact that Republicans are standing by, and letting this happen is truly head scratching.
1
As this administration enacts tariffs and alienates trading partners in Asia, poor Joe Sixpack's cost of living will rise significantly and DJT will lose half of his base. It's political suicide and quite welcome from my point of view. Unfortunately, I will be suffering along with his base. If that's what it takes to convince Americans that liberals have a better economic plan than these Voodoo Economics conservatives, so be it.
2
Before Bush trashed the economy, NAFTA had led to an almost 10 year economic boom.
There were/are some flaws in the agreement, but overall it has helped more than hurt the economy as a whole.
At the individual level, jobs were lost but also created. Naturally, those that lost their jobs were bitter and opposed the agreement.
The TPP built on the lessons learned from NAFTA. Since Mexico and Canada were signatories of the TPP, the flaws in NAFTA no longer mattered.
Among the benefits we would have gained from the TPP was a strong patent enforcement mechanism. For years, companies have complained that their intellectual property was being stolen and marketed in Asia. Thee TPP would have provided intellectual property protection mechanisms.
Rejecting the TPP will hurt us far worse than ratifying the treaty. We have squandered a once in a generation chance to promote stability and trade among a diverse group of nations.
Instead, the US will now pursue trade agreements on a country by country basis, trying to pit one nation against the other in the chase for US dollars. This is a strategy that leads to competition instead of cooperation. Instead of a rising tide lifting all boats, we will now see a race to the bottom. A race where the falling tide will lower all boats.
There were/are some flaws in the agreement, but overall it has helped more than hurt the economy as a whole.
At the individual level, jobs were lost but also created. Naturally, those that lost their jobs were bitter and opposed the agreement.
The TPP built on the lessons learned from NAFTA. Since Mexico and Canada were signatories of the TPP, the flaws in NAFTA no longer mattered.
Among the benefits we would have gained from the TPP was a strong patent enforcement mechanism. For years, companies have complained that their intellectual property was being stolen and marketed in Asia. Thee TPP would have provided intellectual property protection mechanisms.
Rejecting the TPP will hurt us far worse than ratifying the treaty. We have squandered a once in a generation chance to promote stability and trade among a diverse group of nations.
Instead, the US will now pursue trade agreements on a country by country basis, trying to pit one nation against the other in the chase for US dollars. This is a strategy that leads to competition instead of cooperation. Instead of a rising tide lifting all boats, we will now see a race to the bottom. A race where the falling tide will lower all boats.
7
Owat Agoosiam writes, "NAFTA had led to an almost 10 year economic boom."
Tell that to the several million people whose jobs were lost when the manufacturing plants in which they worked closed.
But NAFTA did make millions for the owners of production, who closed the factories, moved the manufacturing equipment across the border, and became wealthier and wealthier.
Tell that to the several million people whose jobs were lost when the manufacturing plants in which they worked closed.
But NAFTA did make millions for the owners of production, who closed the factories, moved the manufacturing equipment across the border, and became wealthier and wealthier.
4
The rising tide lifting all boats image tends to omit that the water "lifting all boats" is actually drained from the US.
2
http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2016/11/daily-chart-9
This link is to a chart in the Economist that illustrates how the US benefits in trade with Canada and Mexico. The US exports $500 billion of goods via NAFTA to Canada and Mexico, while importing about $600 billion worth of goods. Canada and Mexico account for a third of all US exports. We need to increase the value of exports, not kill the trade agreement which is mutually beneficial.
Pres. Trump wants to reduce illegal immigration into US from Mexico. Destabilizing their government by destroying NAFTA will not encourage economic development in Mexico. Instead higher unemployment in Mexico will lead to higher emigration and instability.
This link is to a chart in the Economist that illustrates how the US benefits in trade with Canada and Mexico. The US exports $500 billion of goods via NAFTA to Canada and Mexico, while importing about $600 billion worth of goods. Canada and Mexico account for a third of all US exports. We need to increase the value of exports, not kill the trade agreement which is mutually beneficial.
Pres. Trump wants to reduce illegal immigration into US from Mexico. Destabilizing their government by destroying NAFTA will not encourage economic development in Mexico. Instead higher unemployment in Mexico will lead to higher emigration and instability.
4
If NAFTA were so darn beneficial to the Mexican economy, why have so many millions of Mexicans illegally crossed into the U.S. in the past quarter century since NAFTA was implemented in search of better opportunity?
The reality is that NAFTA was only good for the oligarchs on either side of each border. Trump (as well as Sanders) were the only candidate who correctly identified this and pledged to correct it.
And please, the Economist is the Globalists' weekly newsletter. A shell of its former self.
The reality is that NAFTA was only good for the oligarchs on either side of each border. Trump (as well as Sanders) were the only candidate who correctly identified this and pledged to correct it.
And please, the Economist is the Globalists' weekly newsletter. A shell of its former self.
5
"Pres. Trump wants to reduce illegal immigration into US from Mexico. Destabilizing their government by destroying NAFTA will not encourage economic development in Mexico. Instead higher unemployment in Mexico will lead to higher emigration and instability."
Holding on to a bad trade deal as a regulator of illegal immigration isn't good policy. Illegal immigration has many other causes than unemployment: unsustainable birth rates, a dysfunctional, violent home society, and a rich neighbor unwilling to enforce its own immigration laws, among others.
Holding on to a bad trade deal as a regulator of illegal immigration isn't good policy. Illegal immigration has many other causes than unemployment: unsustainable birth rates, a dysfunctional, violent home society, and a rich neighbor unwilling to enforce its own immigration laws, among others.
3
Starting w my own self-satisfying pretense at writing
a note hopeful of transcending a woeful ignorance that seems to characterize the views of the online paper-reading audience [who have already been told not to watch, read, or listen to( roosky) propaganda--like the on-line channel, RT, or ANY state-sponsored or -owned media],
I simply wonder,
Would it be asking too much of the NYT editorial watchdogs, har!, to have them acknowledge BOTH sides of this TPP issue--as it does have an articulate and qualified voice with clear arguments against a secretly-concocted program that favors Corporate Interests, and is against common US workers' purses??
I mention here the views of Bernie Sanders.
NB: those who whine about RT as a 'state' owned, or state controlled, news medium, persistently violate their phoney righteous position of Free Journalism, on this matter of serious economic and political import.
Making a 'reality game' out of it, one might imagine an NYT force in league with a Chaz Schumer team (in our fantasy intramurals, it's of course, against the Trumps);
the Samders amd the Ruskies are relegated to the B team. Thus we know about nothing, about them!!!
What are you/we/they fearing? -- forcing a debatable TPP viewpoint to SEEM as if
There may not be credible critical contrary views?
just wonderin'.
a note hopeful of transcending a woeful ignorance that seems to characterize the views of the online paper-reading audience [who have already been told not to watch, read, or listen to( roosky) propaganda--like the on-line channel, RT, or ANY state-sponsored or -owned media],
I simply wonder,
Would it be asking too much of the NYT editorial watchdogs, har!, to have them acknowledge BOTH sides of this TPP issue--as it does have an articulate and qualified voice with clear arguments against a secretly-concocted program that favors Corporate Interests, and is against common US workers' purses??
I mention here the views of Bernie Sanders.
NB: those who whine about RT as a 'state' owned, or state controlled, news medium, persistently violate their phoney righteous position of Free Journalism, on this matter of serious economic and political import.
Making a 'reality game' out of it, one might imagine an NYT force in league with a Chaz Schumer team (in our fantasy intramurals, it's of course, against the Trumps);
the Samders amd the Ruskies are relegated to the B team. Thus we know about nothing, about them!!!
What are you/we/they fearing? -- forcing a debatable TPP viewpoint to SEEM as if
There may not be credible critical contrary views?
just wonderin'.
2
I do not understand the controversy. Whether you supported Bernie, Hillary or Trump, you were supporting a candidate that emphatically opposed TPP. We knew well before Novemver 2016 this trade deal was dead. Why the hand wringing now?
7
The TPP might not have been perfect but by pushing it aside our industries that export to Asia are going to suffer but most of all the beef farmers are in for a potential loss of $4 billion annually. For those who comment that they never shop in Walmart or own anything from China I suggest that they examine the keyboard they typed their comments on very carefully because the device it is attached to has components from China and if their television says RCA it is not made in Indiana like the old days, it is made in China.
The TPP was an appallingly disastrous act of hubris that would have substantially worsened the damage that NAFTA did to blue-collar jobs in the US.
Obama was so keen on it because it was part of the price he had to pay for Mr Rubin in return for being POTUS; it was a corrupt deal with the devil... the Anyone-But-China-Pact-For-Putting-Transnationals-Above-The-Law
Obama was so keen on it because it was part of the price he had to pay for Mr Rubin in return for being POTUS; it was a corrupt deal with the devil... the Anyone-But-China-Pact-For-Putting-Transnationals-Above-The-Law
6
Jobs began their vast migration out of the US and into China during the 1980s. At that time, Reagan was president and he pushed for free trade across national borders. It was unions and their officials who decried this and wanted protective tariffs in order to keep manufacturing jobs in the US. But they were rebuked and in some cases unions were excoriated by the Republicans as being against free enterprise and trade. Now, along comes Donald Trump and he wants to do in 2017 what the unions wanted 30+ years ago. How ironic that he did not run for president in 1984.
2
Both Trump and Sanders qualify for your irony, but Sanders was cheated out of a nomination by the DNC, whereas Trump managed to get the Republican nomination despite the protests of the conservative establishment within the Republican party. Which says a lot about the comparative democratic principles within the DNC and the RNC, and how you should refrain from confusing Trump with both the Liberal and Conservative champions of union-suppressing free trade .
1
Look for China to fill the global leadership vacuum that Mr. Trump is leaving. The core purpose of TPP was to contain China. True to his campaign promises, Mr. Trump on his way to removing the United States from its global leadership role to become an isolationist enclave. In the short run, this will only hurt our allies. In the long run, we won't have any.
1
Every progressive organization, every liberal organization condemned TPP as an anti-environmental, pro multinational treaty that gave corporations more power than nations.
It was the republicans who supported Obama's fast-track, not democrats.
Democrats should be rejoicing that this awful piece of legislation has been killed. Don't act like republicans and condemn it simply because trump is on the other side or praise the TTP because Obama wrote the piece of legislation.
It was the republicans who supported Obama's fast-track, not democrats.
Democrats should be rejoicing that this awful piece of legislation has been killed. Don't act like republicans and condemn it simply because trump is on the other side or praise the TTP because Obama wrote the piece of legislation.
5
No matter what newspaper or news outlet one listens or read today, they are either hard left or hard right. The MSM is not just reporting the news anymore, they are offering, in most cases, their opinion and slanting the news to fit their agenda. One can read the same news item in two different papers and come away with opposite assessments. It is time to get back to reporting the news and leaving your opinions for the editorial page.
5
Viewing the way in which Obama and Hillary Clinton strategized together for political gain, it was widely believed by many (including myself) that Obama only held back on final approval of the widely unpopular TPP to ensure a democratic win in the Presidency and to help win back democratic senate & congressional seats as well. As soon as Clinton was elected, she would have pushed through the TPP (and claimed to be 'working with the Republicans' in doing so!...Oh the hypocrisy). Luckily, millions of Americans showed up to cast their ballots against her.
And just imagine what type of Supreme Court appointments Clinton would have made...think of someone in the vein of Sonia Sotomayor, who flatly refuses to apply the rule of law & constitution when it comes to illegal immigrants. She thinks she can just redefine the Constitution to fit her agenda.
As erratic and thin-skinned as Trump can be, he's far less dangerous than Clinton would have been. Not perfect we had two poor candidates. I hope President Trump will stay focused, read from a teleprompter, and stay off Twitter. He really can accomplish a lot for the middle class if he stays on message.
And just imagine what type of Supreme Court appointments Clinton would have made...think of someone in the vein of Sonia Sotomayor, who flatly refuses to apply the rule of law & constitution when it comes to illegal immigrants. She thinks she can just redefine the Constitution to fit her agenda.
As erratic and thin-skinned as Trump can be, he's far less dangerous than Clinton would have been. Not perfect we had two poor candidates. I hope President Trump will stay focused, read from a teleprompter, and stay off Twitter. He really can accomplish a lot for the middle class if he stays on message.
7
i did not like the way Obama handled this deal but i wanted transparency and some time for the American people to understand and may be tweak it. Trump is breaking one of my cardinal rules ...don't throw the baby out with the bath water! We are ignoring the "Dragon" which is now leading the world in job growth through green technological advancement at home and around the world. Trump is taking us out of that loop and we will suffer as a result of that combined with renewed efforts to increase coal and oil economies. What a shame and waste. This will make China and Russia strong...not America. Mind The Gap!
8
Thank you, President Trump.
4
Well, even a stopped clock is right twice a day. TTP, drafted in secret, densely packed with arcane laws benefitting global corporations, including the right to sue local governments if local and national environmental, labor, or safety regulations interfere with their profits . . . there really is a good reason they are negotiated in secret.
4
Excellent Ms. Renant
2
Excellent!! This should be an Editor's Pick.
2
The biggest failure of the Obama administration, its biggest blindspot, was its capture by a neoliberal ideology that promoted protectionism for patents and copyrights while putting U.S. manufacturing and its workers in direct competition with low wage and low environmental protection countries. Whatever the alleged economic efficiency or geostrategic arguments, they did not address the distribution and social issues caused by increasing the rents for intellectual property, held by coastal elites, while destroying the economic raisaon d'etre of communities across the country. The fact is most counties in the U.S. saw substantial declines in medium incomes outside coasts and the energy producing parts of the country. http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2016/0... The sad part is New York Times writers still seem gobsmacked that this failure by the elites and the promises of 25 years of "Free Trade" and neoliberal ideology has political consequences.
2
Mr. Obama wanted to send the legislation to Congress, but Congressional members, ever fretful about reelection chances, asked that he wait for Hillary. Don't blame Mr. Obama for this one.
1
Forgive this e-mail, do not speak English and this is translated by online sites so forgive me for the grammar errors.
I've been through this, knowing that Mr. Is engaged in the overhaul of your Country, makes it more secure for citizens, and a policy more equitable for those most in need.
Mr. Trump, are still making money at the expense of the people, in the financial markets with false information for the shares to rise or fall according to convenience. How can Mr. Trump, national companies such as Petrobras (virtually bankrupt), valley and others, to have appreciation of 200% or more in the year?
Is it fair that a tiny number of people to inform despitefully the population and even, international investors, lies in the purpose of earning easy money? Would it not be more honest that the investors were paid each balance sheet published, winning or losing in the same proportion of the shares?
If you want to earn money, do it honestly. To open a company, work create jobs and wealth, to make money circulate. This yes, is to be consistent to the good morals and honesty.
Please Mr. Trump, if Mr. Agree that this has to end, post on your twitter, your considerations in this respect. I am sure that justice will prevail and the Mr will Help, even though indirectly, in Brazil, to finally get on track.
Respectfully
A citizen anxious for justice.
I've been through this, knowing that Mr. Is engaged in the overhaul of your Country, makes it more secure for citizens, and a policy more equitable for those most in need.
Mr. Trump, are still making money at the expense of the people, in the financial markets with false information for the shares to rise or fall according to convenience. How can Mr. Trump, national companies such as Petrobras (virtually bankrupt), valley and others, to have appreciation of 200% or more in the year?
Is it fair that a tiny number of people to inform despitefully the population and even, international investors, lies in the purpose of earning easy money? Would it not be more honest that the investors were paid each balance sheet published, winning or losing in the same proportion of the shares?
If you want to earn money, do it honestly. To open a company, work create jobs and wealth, to make money circulate. This yes, is to be consistent to the good morals and honesty.
Please Mr. Trump, if Mr. Agree that this has to end, post on your twitter, your considerations in this respect. I am sure that justice will prevail and the Mr will Help, even though indirectly, in Brazil, to finally get on track.
Respectfully
A citizen anxious for justice.
TPP was meant for rich American companies to move their businesses to Vietnam and other Asian nations to manufacture American products to then sell to Americans while the middle class keeps ebbing to become the poor class or as Obama put it, the Welfare class.
2
I should not be surprised that the readership of the NYT is anti-Trump, just as I should not be surprised at either the ignorance of the Left in not recognizing the fact that the candidates they supported wanted to kill TPP too or the hypocrisy of the Left in that it killing TPP is a bad idea, unless their side does it. You folks are a riot. Trump can not win with you no matter what he does, so your opinions really count for nothing. China's goal is nothing less than "China First," so how come it's a bad idea for us to do the same? Furthermore, China does not lead the world in anything except population and corporate theft. They have no innovative ideas, they steal them from us then produce the products at half the price because they use slave labor and ignore those Green Energy rules you all love so much. American ingenuity and workmanship is still second to none. America First!
3
You guys need to step out of your echo-chamber. The mass media and publications are all CIA controlled propaganda arms. Why on Earth would our government modify the Smith-Mundt ACT in 2013 to allow government propaganda be legal? And then again in 2016, before Obama left office, Use the NDAA once again to further strengthen the propaganda abilities of the government? Do you think the mass amount of 'fake news' and error prone and bias driven journalism today is a coincidence? And it was done under the NDAA; first in 2013 and again in 2016.
Currently I'm in Costa Rica, which has a state-of-the-art soccer stadium built and financed by the Chinese. At the same time, I also find Chinese made automobiles in this country. Peru also has extensive ties with China. I see China potentially grabbing the markets of Mexico, Central America and perhaps a substantial part of South America as well. Trump thinks that the United States is the only dog on the block. Unfortunately that is no longer true. The European Union and China are huge economies that carry substantial cloud in the world today. Scrapping of the TPP may be good for political optics, but in my opinion it's a short-sighted mistake which will have long-term implications for the United States. For instance, in my home state of Idaho, China is the second-leading destination for our exports. Canada is number one and Mexico number three. It seems like there's a desire on the part of Trump and the Republicans to cut our noses off to spite our faces. I know that Idaho cannot afford a multi-million dollar hole in its economy, when China decides that it can get goods produced in Idaho somewhere else.
2
We know that Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton also opposed the TPP. So why is this news? Whoever won the election was going to take this action, except maybe a conservative Republican like Cruz.
3
For the record, TPP was the result of a lot of needy countries AND the Obama Admin. As far as it being "his" signature trade deal...thats the way he touted it but there is hardly anything in it that benefits the US worker. The hidden gems that the NYT never mention is the visa program is now almost a free pass to immigrate around the system. Some of the comments here are, "will make things more expensive". or, "other countries will just go to China", Really...do you think China cares. They have their own problems and most countries recognize you can't trade with a partner that can manipulate its currency at will. And boo hoo to the rest of the Trump haters. Get over it. He IS the president. He is following through on the things that got him elected. Bouncing TPP is just one of them.
4
Secret deal thrown into the wastebasket of history.
Also interesting that Hillary & Bernie turned around on this one.
Keep up the good work Mr. President
B
Also interesting that Hillary & Bernie turned around on this one.
Keep up the good work Mr. President
B
4
Trump ended a deal that allowed countries to compete with American workers who use Slave and Child Labor. As Americans, we have a moral obligation to stop this deal as well as an economic one. Don't let the man stop you from seeing right and wrong. Many on the Left and right have opposed this deal due to the legalized slavery including The Huffington Post and Bernie Sanders. We owe ourselves and our country an objective look at each decision President Trump makes otherwise we end up here. Upset that someone has stopped a bill that makes the U.S. complicit in slavery.
5
Judgment should be withheld as to whether this is a blow to Obama's legacy until we know how it works out. If Trump* wrecks the economy with his 19th century mercantilism vainly trying to hold back the tide, it will be his, not Obama's legacy. I'd bet on looking back wistfully at Obama's work.
2
Yesterday I looked at ships coming and going from Puget Sound. Grain ships loaded here. Container goods went on and came off ships. Will American grain rot in silos? Will Seattle port workers sit idle? And what about the produce that travels north and south through the Americas? Will Washington apple growers be able to ship their bounty south? Will we have citrus fruits in winter? Trade benefits both us and our trading partners, not just one country.
2
We should all be concerned not only with the US withdrawal from TPP but the impetuous manner in which Trump has made this and other changes in significant policy. It appears he makes abrupt changes without in-depth analysis by non-ideologues and without understanding the probable consequences. His ACA executive order is likely to destabilize the health insurance market, and canceling the TPP could strengthen the threat of North Korean nuclear action by an equally narcissistic and capricious ruler.
Trump voters, in your narrow vision, what have you wrought?
Trump voters, in your narrow vision, what have you wrought?
2
Phyllis, the health insurance market was already destabilized, you were just to blind to see it. your choice for president said she was going to kill it also, is it just because she didn't win that you are against it? Of course, she probably was lying about that to the public also since she and o-blame-o were so close, so she was probably just saying what she thought the masses wanted to hear. Well, we heard her, and we voted against her and the former POTUS and his vile policies. the only reason he didn't put this to a vote was he did not want his main trade agreement to fail. what a joke!!!!
America:Titanic
Trump:Iceberg
Trump:Iceberg
3
Obama: apostrophe
Trump: exclamation mark
Trump: exclamation mark
What's false? Please elaborate.
1
People First,America First, means to work for the welfare of the large numbers of Americans who have not benefitted economically or otherwise by the plethora of Treaties so liberally signed by various administration.
TPP was less beneficial to Americans.
President Trump has shown to the world that he is a man of action & not mere words.By itself an singular,sterling quality,Scarce in this times of double speak.
If TPP is not good,it has to go,What's your problem.
When the President can subsume his ego for the larger good of an nation i don't understand why some of us cannot humble ourselves on this vexatious issue & give him the benefit of the doubt.
Only TIME will tell if the decision was right or wrong.
TPP was less beneficial to Americans.
President Trump has shown to the world that he is a man of action & not mere words.By itself an singular,sterling quality,Scarce in this times of double speak.
If TPP is not good,it has to go,What's your problem.
When the President can subsume his ego for the larger good of an nation i don't understand why some of us cannot humble ourselves on this vexatious issue & give him the benefit of the doubt.
Only TIME will tell if the decision was right or wrong.
2
The TPP was not in effect yet. How do we know it's "not good"? That's a guess. I don't trust the guess of a man with so many bankrupt businesses.
1
Every day of the campaign, Trump ruthlessly attacked Hillary for her Wall Street ties—rightly so, in my view. The split SECOND he gets into power, he appoints 5 of the WORST Goldman Sachs mafiosi to his cabinet including the white supremacist Steve Bannon and the bottom-dwelling Steve Mnuchin, who made a fortune throwing working Americans out of their homes. He's now in charge of our treasury!! Has ONE Trump supporter in the entire country said "Trump lied to us! We've been had!" Zero. They don't really care what he does or who he hurts as long as he fans the flames of racism, immigrant hatred, gun lunacy and contempt for science, they love him. It's stomach-turning.
8
I guess Trump's next legislation will be for American manufacturers to get rid of their automation so that humans will have to do the work again. This president doesnt live in reality.
4
What a great first full day in office. Keep it up president Trump!
5
As a Sanders supporter, Trump's actions and policies concern me greatly. In the meantime, his withdrawal from TPP is a cause for great temporary relief. One of the worst things of the Obama/Clinton legacy has at least been deferred, if not dropped altogether. If anyone is still under the illusion that the TPP was anything but awful, please note it would have:
1. caused a much greater loss of jobs than NAFTA.
2. nullified the Buy American Act of 1933 which requires purchases by gov’t of domestically produced products.
3. allowed corporations ton sue in partly corporate tribunal for lost ANTICIPATED profits, if environmental, safety or labor laws get in the way of profits. TransCanada Corporation is now suing U.S. gov’t for loss of $12 billion in profits under a similar provision in NAFTA because Pres. Obama stopped Keystone Pipeline.
4. allowed into the U.S. foods that do not even meet minimum health standards without inspection.
5. provided patent protection against generics for five years and enforced high prices overseas.
6. had no exemption for educational use of copyrighted materials limiting political discourse.
7. and had no expiration date!
1. caused a much greater loss of jobs than NAFTA.
2. nullified the Buy American Act of 1933 which requires purchases by gov’t of domestically produced products.
3. allowed corporations ton sue in partly corporate tribunal for lost ANTICIPATED profits, if environmental, safety or labor laws get in the way of profits. TransCanada Corporation is now suing U.S. gov’t for loss of $12 billion in profits under a similar provision in NAFTA because Pres. Obama stopped Keystone Pipeline.
4. allowed into the U.S. foods that do not even meet minimum health standards without inspection.
5. provided patent protection against generics for five years and enforced high prices overseas.
6. had no exemption for educational use of copyrighted materials limiting political discourse.
7. and had no expiration date!
4
Glad to see a President who actually is doing what he said he would. The Global economy and dependency has created the low wage economy. Americans are the ones who end up paying for other countries problems in these agreements. I am glad to see a president that wants to put America first, and set a standard for others to emulate rather than a great average where we are all the same.
4
This decision is a harbinger of what will soon become a consistent theme in Trumpian leadership: rash decisions based on inadequate understanding of the issues and a tendency to oversimplify complex matters. Since Mr. Trump doesn't even read to any significant degree, I'd be surprised if he even read the TPP. Get ready for the dumbing down of the American presidency.
4
It's interesting. While those of us on the left certainly regarded George W. Bush as a vicious, stupid and dangerous man, I don't recall the widespread, almost ubiquitous revulsion that we see across the country and around the world with Trump. I'm not sure exactly what it's due to. Is it the fact that he is such a vulgarian and people see him as profoundly "unpresidential?" Is it that he's such an obvious hoodlum and makes little effort to disguise the fact? In any case, I'm somewhat heartened to see the level of hatred toward Trump that I have felt toward numerous US Presidents, dating back to Lyndon Johnson. Perhaps this revulsion can be translated into change, though I think the big story of the 2016 election is that so many people have completely given up, especially faced with the choice of Hillary the Kissinger fan and rabid war monger vs Trump the bloated psychopath. It was all so depressing.
2
Wow, American trade unions and progressives are against TPP as is the current President! Hillary (I'm with her!) came out against it after lots of pressure from Bernie. Before that, she was for it.
4
If cheap foreign labor is a primary cause of US businesses leaving our shores, then why ban funding of female reproductive health abroad that has helped the poor reduce infant mortality through better maternal health and family planning? Facts are there. Better maternal health leads to lower infant mortality. Lower infant mortality leads to smaller families and fewer births, giving a family in poverty a better shot at getting ahead in this very overpopulated world.
Trump just gave corporations another gift. Corporations benefit when there is an abundance of cheap labor and now the Trump government is refusing to help the global cause to assist families in poverty control their birth rate through better health. How does that help the American worker?
Trump just gave corporations another gift. Corporations benefit when there is an abundance of cheap labor and now the Trump government is refusing to help the global cause to assist families in poverty control their birth rate through better health. How does that help the American worker?
5
I have a friend who is involved in toy wholesaling. He sells to Walmart, Hobby Lobby, etc. He's got a nice business. He deals with manufacturers in the USA and China. The Chinese factories can deliver product to his door at about 45% of the cost of the USA factory. The quality is about the same. He's dealing with 2-3 million dollars per year in orders. Care to guess which factories are getting his business?
Can someone explain to me how Trump or anyone else will change this 45% cost difference?
Can someone explain to me how Trump or anyone else will change this 45% cost difference?
1
Tariffs
Can we end the "not my president" nonsense? Unless one is willing to renounce citizenship, of course he's your president. Are progressives going to renounce the election process every time someone they don't support wins? That's what children do (along with all the name-calling). I agree with President Obama: the Constitution is a great gift and we must support it, which means, yes, sometimes accepting things we don't like. The only reason the Republic could not survive this is if our citizenry abandon it.
3
Can we expect executive decrees today to reopen shuttered buggy whip factories and to resume the use of coal as our number one power source? Party on, GOP, like it's 1860.
4
Repeating that of others I trust:
Trump and Bernie and HRC ALL called for getting out of TPP. Trump said what he meant and did what he meant.
Bernie would have made the same exit.
Would HRC have done so? Maybe, but I sure did not believe her protestations.
The NYT seems to be hypercritical of Trump ALL of the time. Some of the time is fine, but all of the time us not, unless it is on the editorial page.
Trump and Bernie and HRC ALL called for getting out of TPP. Trump said what he meant and did what he meant.
Bernie would have made the same exit.
Would HRC have done so? Maybe, but I sure did not believe her protestations.
The NYT seems to be hypercritical of Trump ALL of the time. Some of the time is fine, but all of the time us not, unless it is on the editorial page.
3
First this paper told us that Hillary was leading by 90% and she would be our next President. That was the biggest stupidity this side of creation. Since then, every single day, we are being told that Trump is no good. He must be very good otherwise he wouldn't be in the White House. Give him some time and stop complaining.
3
I don't care if he did it what I care about is his lack of an alternative other than repeating the cold war.
3
Question for the commentariat:
Does Steve Bannon HAVE more than one suit, one tie and one blue dress shirt?
Does Steve Bannon HAVE more than one suit, one tie and one blue dress shirt?
3
Hehe it doesn't seem like it, or if he does, then all of his suits, ties, and blue shirts are exactly the same.
1
At this time, China owns us. While they flood this country with cheap, short-lived products of questionable value, they are destroying our ability to manufacture quality products. They don't seem to respect our patents, hack our business interests, ignore our copyrights, steal our intellectual property, and show every intention of turning the western Pacific into a militarized zone (reminiscent of pre-WWII Japan). They are our economic adversaries. So why do anything to favor their interests?
World business dealings boil down to who is in a position (of power) to make the most money. Trump's meeting(s) with Alibaba's Jack Ma--the King of Counterfeits--speaks volumes as to who will benefit most from the cancellation of the TPP. Just follow the money.
World business dealings boil down to who is in a position (of power) to make the most money. Trump's meeting(s) with Alibaba's Jack Ma--the King of Counterfeits--speaks volumes as to who will benefit most from the cancellation of the TPP. Just follow the money.
1
> In doing so, he demonstrated that he would not follow old rules, effectively discarding longstanding Republican orthodoxy that expanding global trade was good for the world and America...
The buried lede in this story is, "Flash! NYT Suddenly Discovers Tradition is Good!"
The buried lede in this story is, "Flash! NYT Suddenly Discovers Tradition is Good!"
Why doesn't the Times cover the portion of TPP that allows foreign entities to sue us if for example we ban or restrict a certain product or policy that compromises their freaking profits? I believe this is true and warrants comprehensive coverage. Get the facts out there and correct any erroneous assumption s please, including mine.
4
Apparently, the only focus right now is to safeguard Obama's legacy (even when it's poisoned to start with), and denigrate anything Trump does. The fact that everything about the TPP stinks, that it has divided both conservatives and liberals within their own camps, and that the whole secretive process has cast a shadow on Obama's wholesale image as the good progressive guy, doesn't seem to matter to the NYT. The message that TPP=Obama=good must prevail, even if it's only credible to the brainwashed, sets the tone for what's to come (Trump=whatever he does=bad). It seems that the deplorables aren't the only ones who need clear, manichean messages to swallow the propaganda.
Mr. Trump has got it all wrong. To bring back low salary jobs to America is not the way to go. Instead America must be the leader in high qualified high paid jobs. This goes by making University available for all Americans not only for the rich. To continue making research. The new ideas in renewable energy.
4
Ridiculous claim. The US isn't a one-industry country. Of course, it's great - and desirable - to have a large pool of highly qualified highly paid jobs, but that's not the end of it. Not so long ago (early '90s), you could enter any Woolworth's or Sears and you'd have a hard time finding t-shirts, underwear, socks, or jeans, that weren't made in the US. And they were cheap. Shirts, suits, ties and knits were made in the US as well, although a little less ubiquitous than in the t-shirt sector. Now, apart from within some niche brands, finding anything made in the US is a real task. These manufacturing jobs weren't high salary, but they kept high-school graduates and dropouts alike, now pretty much banned from the job market (apart from delivery services of burger-flipping jobs) employed, and with the means to raise a family and pay rent. There are plenty of manufacturing jobs that still can't be 100% automated, that have been basically "given" to foreign countries at the cost of aggravated unemployment stateside. Getting those jobs back isn't going to hurt the coastal elites, no need to worry.
1
The TPP will only cost more American jobs, give more power to international corporations, and weaken environmental protection. The harm trade agreements have done to American workers is partly responsible for the Democratic loss in the election.
6
One of the benefits of the TPP was that it had provisions to protect intellectual property.
Now there is no way to prevent China from stealing our ideas and taking them to market.
Getting China and other countries to agree to intellectual property protections was a major achievement of the TPP.
Our manufacturing and technology companies need those protections and our negotiators pushed very hard to win those concessions. Kiss that good-bye.
Intellectual property theft is a major contributor to China's rise.
Without the purchasing power of the TPP bloc countries to force China's cooperation, America stands little chance of negotiating similar provisions one-on-one with China.
We have also opened the door to other countries in the TPP bloc taking similar liberties.
We took our bat and ball and went home, but the game will go on without us. It's a strategic miscalculation on an epic scale.
One that will likely be cited in the future when describing the decline of the American experiment.
Now there is no way to prevent China from stealing our ideas and taking them to market.
Getting China and other countries to agree to intellectual property protections was a major achievement of the TPP.
Our manufacturing and technology companies need those protections and our negotiators pushed very hard to win those concessions. Kiss that good-bye.
Intellectual property theft is a major contributor to China's rise.
Without the purchasing power of the TPP bloc countries to force China's cooperation, America stands little chance of negotiating similar provisions one-on-one with China.
We have also opened the door to other countries in the TPP bloc taking similar liberties.
We took our bat and ball and went home, but the game will go on without us. It's a strategic miscalculation on an epic scale.
One that will likely be cited in the future when describing the decline of the American experiment.
2
What legacy?
1
The reality for this Reality TV host is that on his vaunted Day One proclamations, Trump did not do much of anything. This was, like his Reality TV persona, all for show: Here we see the "president" of whatever signing bills. Here we see him making pronouncements about how great he and the bills he's signing are going to help Amerika.
Really? Are Trumpians actually going to buy this sleight of hand? There are a wide array of hucksters and two-bit carnies working Times Square daily who could outdo Trump. They're just as slick and personable, and they'll have your wallet before you know it's gone. They only difference is they don't have the fame and alleged fortune Trump says he has. That is also part of the Trump Con. On a larger scale, Trump is pulling a con on the American people. Most of them are hip to the shakedown but there are a bunch of goobers out there who think Trump is going to be them...whaterver. He's not. You're being taken to the cleaners. You won't know what you've lost until it's gone.
DD
Manhattan
Really? Are Trumpians actually going to buy this sleight of hand? There are a wide array of hucksters and two-bit carnies working Times Square daily who could outdo Trump. They're just as slick and personable, and they'll have your wallet before you know it's gone. They only difference is they don't have the fame and alleged fortune Trump says he has. That is also part of the Trump Con. On a larger scale, Trump is pulling a con on the American people. Most of them are hip to the shakedown but there are a bunch of goobers out there who think Trump is going to be them...whaterver. He's not. You're being taken to the cleaners. You won't know what you've lost until it's gone.
DD
Manhattan
3
Well, there's always Putin.
Do cars run on Potatoes or Vodka?
I recall a radio being powered by a Potato when I was a kid?
Do cars run on Potatoes or Vodka?
I recall a radio being powered by a Potato when I was a kid?
2
The TPP is not only an economic deal, it is also focused on responding to and countering growing Chinese economic, political and military expansionism in the Pacific Rim. This is the oft-neglected objective of this trade agreement, yet Trump & Co. continue to fail to recognise that US withdrawal creates a vacuum that, as of now, the Chinese are more than willing to fill.
We are not losing jobs to Vietnamese, Malaysian, Filipino, Australian or New Zealand manufacturers. Most Of the damage to US manufacturing jobs has been done far better and more extensively by China - who is NOT a signatory to the TPP. Why oppose a trade deal that posses no threat to American manufacturing jobs?
We are not losing jobs to Vietnamese, Malaysian, Filipino, Australian or New Zealand manufacturers. Most Of the damage to US manufacturing jobs has been done far better and more extensively by China - who is NOT a signatory to the TPP. Why oppose a trade deal that posses no threat to American manufacturing jobs?
1
President Trump might have some credibility if he had his ties made in the U. S. or used U. S. workers rather than Polish labor in his construction work. This President continues to confabulate on the facts. If our Senators and Representatives do not hold this new administration to the real facts we are going to have a very difficult time. The 'leopard' has not changed his spots and why did anyone think that he would!
1
When will the liberal anti-Trump crybabies stop regurgitating media rhetoric and get over it? If his companies manufacture goods in China, it's because the policies put in place by former government officials made it more profitable for ALL companies to do so, not just Trump's. So stop blaming him and whining about it. He is in office now, and he is fixing the problem.
3
McCain is so blind to the facts that a huge amount of people's lives were ruined by NAFTA and more would certainly happen with the TPP deal. The country turned their backs on the blue collar workers long ago. They say these jobs are gone and never coming back that we would get tech jobs, well that left a lot of people out and many things are still manufactured, just manufactured somewhere else.
3
Imported goods are purchased here because Americans want to spend as little as possible on stuff they buy. Local goods are sold here but often cost more.
1
If he delivers on jobs, through reducing the trade deficit and through infrastructure investments, this nasty, divisive, authoritarian guy -- all of which he is -- will be with us for quite a while. We may lose our democracy in the process. We may go back to pre-Lyndon Johnson days in terms of social insurance and voting rights and minority rights, and women's rights and reproductive rights, and environmental protection -- I don't sugarcoat it.
1
The partnership amongst the group of counties did not have an agreement in place that was actually effective. Creating standardized trade tariffs across a group of countries means that those groups take advantage and access for relatively great gains and we gain little on the reverse. Negotiations although cumbersome to do on an individual country basis is what we need to do not how other tiny nations want to do.
1
Did you all see our president sign that document? Now didn't he look so goooood? He is so efficient and capable as he takes us down and raises the Chinese power. But who cares as long as his crowd of looks upon him with such faith. He shooor has made China so happy!!!!! We all really want to be insulated from the rest of that nasty world.
1
By ditching the TPP, Trump has ensured that American workers will not be undermined by foreign labor. The foreign labor force, especially in Asia, is willing to work for nothing. American workers need and deserve incomes that will support families. The architects of these trade deals, especially in the last 10 years, have one thing in mind, which is to level the playing field, in particular bringing the American worker, once a proud man, down to the level of the rest of the world. Their aim, as Trump accurately stated, is to enrich other nations, while impoverishing America. A strategy pursued over the last 8 years especially to diminish the significance of American exceptionalism. America is an exceptional nation, better than the entire rest of the world combined. I know the liberals don't like that, but so what, they can live some where else. Trump made it clear on January 20, 2017, that that strategy to bring America down is over, and going forward, it will only be America first, America first! Thank you.
2
The jobs will be automated both here and everywhere else. Not coming back
2
Note that all the critics of the TPP pullout are concerned not about the economic impact on American workers, but on the loss of geopolitical influence. This is what these multilateral trade agreements do, and what TPP would have done in particular: they shift the economic advantage to less developed countries in exchange for letting the U.S. "write the rules."
The idea is that jobs are created and goods manufactured in a place like Vietnam, and even though that tends to increase US imports from Vietnam without a corresponding increase in exports to Vietnam (for the simple reason that the Vietnamese have less money to buy US goods and work for lower wages and in worse conditions than Americans do) the United States gets to feel like we're still creating the "world order."
What Trump's election victory should make clear to people is that American blue-collar workers no longer care as much about the world order. They care about jobs and wages.
The idea is that jobs are created and goods manufactured in a place like Vietnam, and even though that tends to increase US imports from Vietnam without a corresponding increase in exports to Vietnam (for the simple reason that the Vietnamese have less money to buy US goods and work for lower wages and in worse conditions than Americans do) the United States gets to feel like we're still creating the "world order."
What Trump's election victory should make clear to people is that American blue-collar workers no longer care as much about the world order. They care about jobs and wages.
4
The way I see it, the TPP was composed of 12 countries. All equal in the eyes of the deal. So when a country like Brunei has the same power and authority as The United States of America, well, sumpin's wrong w that deal..
Good job Mr. President.
Good job Mr. President.
4
The US was the country which had more to gain with TPP. There's no gain for retracting from it.
Trump is deliberately benefiting China. The China-Trump "war" is a fake.
He's set to give China political and trade dominion over the Pacific.
He'll probably benefit from it in that country, since he has currently huge interests there.
Meanwhile, he's distracting the public waging a war on media, discussing crowd sizes and claiming vote fraud...
I can't help but feel depressed his antics make bigger headline than his actions (TPP vs. vote fraud in NYT).
Plus, in engaging the media in this war of words, he succefully discredits them on any future serious news investigation conducted in hard-to-get economic and financial damage actually done on his country.
It's just more "dishonest media" talk.
Don't give in to the noise.
Please, investigate what are is revenues in China for waving the TPP deal.
Trump is deliberately benefiting China. The China-Trump "war" is a fake.
He's set to give China political and trade dominion over the Pacific.
He'll probably benefit from it in that country, since he has currently huge interests there.
Meanwhile, he's distracting the public waging a war on media, discussing crowd sizes and claiming vote fraud...
I can't help but feel depressed his antics make bigger headline than his actions (TPP vs. vote fraud in NYT).
Plus, in engaging the media in this war of words, he succefully discredits them on any future serious news investigation conducted in hard-to-get economic and financial damage actually done on his country.
It's just more "dishonest media" talk.
Don't give in to the noise.
Please, investigate what are is revenues in China for waving the TPP deal.
1
I am pleased he pulled out of this treaty. Imbedded in this treaty lies a provision that allows pharmaceutical companies to price drugs as will. As a physician it is agonizing to see Americans pay $90,000 per patient to treat Hepatitis C - a disease well within our reach to eradicate once for all but for the costs.
4
As usual, a very biased, pro big business and hence pro TPP analysis of the TPP by the NYT.
The account talks blithely about mechanisms for settling disputes without explaining what those methods are.
The account fails completely to address any of the important and worrying powers contained in the TPP for enormously powerful and rich corporations to take national governments to international trade tribunals.
The last have the power to overrule findings made in each TPP nationstate's highest court. Very good for the rich and powerful, with whom the NYT seems to have aligned itself — not so good for everyone else, including the ordinary citizens of every country, yes, even of the USA, that was/is a party to the TPP.
https://www.choice.com.au/~/media/305edb1ce4d34c9c9917acaee3fce2cf.ashx
The account talks blithely about mechanisms for settling disputes without explaining what those methods are.
The account fails completely to address any of the important and worrying powers contained in the TPP for enormously powerful and rich corporations to take national governments to international trade tribunals.
The last have the power to overrule findings made in each TPP nationstate's highest court. Very good for the rich and powerful, with whom the NYT seems to have aligned itself — not so good for everyone else, including the ordinary citizens of every country, yes, even of the USA, that was/is a party to the TPP.
https://www.choice.com.au/~/media/305edb1ce4d34c9c9917acaee3fce2cf.ashx
4
Global Trade is good for everyone. Democrats only approve of global trade when their cronies make money as a result. No trade "partnerships" are needed - only the reduction of tariffs on goods coming into the country, and the reduction of taxes and regulations on manufacturers in the country.
Check out the letter to Hoover signed by major manufacturers in 1929, telling him to avoid signing Smoot-Hawley. Hoover ignored it, and shoved America into the Great Depression. FDR ignored it, and kept America in the Great Depression.
Check out the letter to Hoover signed by major manufacturers in 1929, telling him to avoid signing Smoot-Hawley. Hoover ignored it, and shoved America into the Great Depression. FDR ignored it, and kept America in the Great Depression.
2
The effects of these actions will be felt over the long term, long after Trump's tenure. We produce and grow a lot of goods that we export all over the world, to friends and foes alike. It remains to be seen how the negatives will impact Trump's negatives, short term and long.
It is, however, for sure the first steps to the diminution of USA hegemony in world trade and politics. And that the history books will judge negatively.
It is, however, for sure the first steps to the diminution of USA hegemony in world trade and politics. And that the history books will judge negatively.
1
We have now ceded more power to China.
2
In some ways it is easy to empathize with Trump when he disparages the media.
For instance with this article why the screaming headlines with the qualifier"Obama''s Signature Trade Deal". It seems almost mocking.
Why bother including that ?
Surely there could be a more factual representation of the actions taken
by this new President...end of statement.
President Obama, I am sure, is happy somewhere with his family
For instance with this article why the screaming headlines with the qualifier"Obama''s Signature Trade Deal". It seems almost mocking.
Why bother including that ?
Surely there could be a more factual representation of the actions taken
by this new President...end of statement.
President Obama, I am sure, is happy somewhere with his family
3
Won't imposing tarrifs on inbound goods make prices higher to consumers?
3
Trump's instinct to hurt Obama's legacy and play to his uneducated base are driving his decisions and showmanship. Americans will be the losers. Sad.
2
Psst, say (for the sake of argument) he's right,..how does this approach Win Anything?
We're gonna find out if the rest of the World (Leaders) are as receptive to Bullies as we are.
I doubt they are.
He keeps this up (no doubt he will), the other nations are going to eventually "Push Back" and you devotees to Bullies will find out (the hard way) it's an expensive price to pay for gas, foods, metals, petroleum based products, phones, TVs, IPADs,...just because you decided to follow a Bully.
We're gonna find out if the rest of the World (Leaders) are as receptive to Bullies as we are.
I doubt they are.
He keeps this up (no doubt he will), the other nations are going to eventually "Push Back" and you devotees to Bullies will find out (the hard way) it's an expensive price to pay for gas, foods, metals, petroleum based products, phones, TVs, IPADs,...just because you decided to follow a Bully.
1
While I agree that the TPP needed strong revisions considering the unions and how less powerful countries would be affected ( like Mexico in NAFTA), I don't agree with a policy that withdraw from the region. There could've been another way to distance from a pact that may hurt workers in each country, but still working on a partnership. With a stroke of a pen pres. Trump just lost to China, the one he had been criticizing all the way.
1
HRC was against the TPP. Complaining about this just because it is DT is ad hominem. Lady Logic wants us to keep it together in the era of "alternative facts".
1
OK On THIS one he is actually right. TPP was not a good deal for us.
1
Never mind good paying American jobs for American workers. Let them go on welfare, or find meaningful employment at Wal-Mart and/or McDonald's.
Don't like that? Go to college, and get a government job after you graduate.
What about my multinational portfolio? I've got a bunch of money invested overseas, and had planned to put more money into offshore investments.
Who elected this guy? We need to get rid of that pesky Constitution. Or at least the part(s) that interfere with my entitled, diversified existence.
Don't like that? Go to college, and get a government job after you graduate.
What about my multinational portfolio? I've got a bunch of money invested overseas, and had planned to put more money into offshore investments.
Who elected this guy? We need to get rid of that pesky Constitution. Or at least the part(s) that interfere with my entitled, diversified existence.
6
Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is furious, which, given the otherwise restrained Japanese diplomatic culture, says a lot about Trump. Certainly his trip to the Trump Tower last year reveals the fact that he double crossed Japans effort to implement the deal. I guess he and Ivanka gave a thumbs up to him, just like at the NYT visit, coupled with a "I'll look into it" while knowing he would sink the deal, soley because it was negotiated under Obama. This deceitful action towards some of our staunchest allies in the region already has a price: Japan and Australia annouced, in spite now, that they will continue the treaty WITHOUT the US, instead inviting China to join it! Well done, goof-elect, at least you spent your first days implementing REAL important things, like designating your inaugruation day "National Day of Patriotic Devotion" ...or was it supposed to be "National Day of Idiotic Devotion"....? If anybody thinks I am kidding, look up WP today...banana republic, here we come!
7
Would you be saying the same thing if Hillary or Bernie were president and did what they promised to do, i.e. dump the TPP? I suspect not. At least you are consistent bashing Trump regardless of circumstance.
1
From the NY Times' own article on the TPP, May 11, 2015:
"Why All the Secrecy?
The office of the United States Trade Representative has said that “negotiators need to communicate with each other with a high degree of candor, creativity and mutual trust. To create the conditions necessary to successfully reach agreements in complex trade and investment negotiations, governments routinely keep their proposals and communications with each other confidential.”
But previous trade agreements were shared more openly and, despite the secrecy efforts, portions of the document have been leaking out, through WikiLeaks and other organizations."
Secret Trade negotiations. What's not to like!!!!
"Why All the Secrecy?
The office of the United States Trade Representative has said that “negotiators need to communicate with each other with a high degree of candor, creativity and mutual trust. To create the conditions necessary to successfully reach agreements in complex trade and investment negotiations, governments routinely keep their proposals and communications with each other confidential.”
But previous trade agreements were shared more openly and, despite the secrecy efforts, portions of the document have been leaking out, through WikiLeaks and other organizations."
Secret Trade negotiations. What's not to like!!!!
8
Secret Trade negotiations that prohibit participation by unionists and environmentalists.
2
Two reflections on this informative article:
1. Union leaders applauding this move? Saying "we will work with [Trump] and put America back to work"? Democratic Party strategists should really do some soul-searching on this and the related 2016 election realignment of labor (and I speak as a Hilary voter).
2. We need to improve basic economic literacy in this country. This is a message not just for the media -- even more so for the educators of today's youth. "Let's repeal TPP", "Let's slap a high tariff on [pick your group]" sounds attractive but is not good economics. Democracy relies on educated voters. Voters need a stronger grasp of the basic economic arguments (and supporting evidence) behind freer trade.
1. Union leaders applauding this move? Saying "we will work with [Trump] and put America back to work"? Democratic Party strategists should really do some soul-searching on this and the related 2016 election realignment of labor (and I speak as a Hilary voter).
2. We need to improve basic economic literacy in this country. This is a message not just for the media -- even more so for the educators of today's youth. "Let's repeal TPP", "Let's slap a high tariff on [pick your group]" sounds attractive but is not good economics. Democracy relies on educated voters. Voters need a stronger grasp of the basic economic arguments (and supporting evidence) behind freer trade.
6
Well, what an economist says depends on who is paying the economist, and who he is talking to. While working for a multinational, if I was to tell my boss "If you increase the supply of labor by allowing mass importation of cheap foreign labor, we can keep the price of said labor low, while insuring adequate supplies of labor and high retention because supply will exceed demand" that is basic economics. If I was to go on record saying the same thing to Congress or the general public, I would be looking for another job. Since Congressmen and reporters are bad at math, though, a paper with some unreasonable premises hidden in it, but a bottom line that says "Mass immigration will increase both employment and wages" although obviously false, will get the support of every congressman whose campaign my employer is funding, and every newspaper and TV station we spend millions of dollars running ad campaigns on. Smart business tactics. If we can convince some Professors who need to "publish or die" for tenure to agree and get published in some nice academic journals, so much the better to shore up our position. And some are even gullible enough to believe it.
1
POTUS Limerick #124
There was once a geriatric President who had a bizarre mania
About blaming everything on our $600 billion trading partner, China
He screamed, "They've taken jobs from our nation!"
Never once pointing out the real cause, automation---
Maybe he's showing more than a bit of dementia!
There was once a geriatric President who had a bizarre mania
About blaming everything on our $600 billion trading partner, China
He screamed, "They've taken jobs from our nation!"
Never once pointing out the real cause, automation---
Maybe he's showing more than a bit of dementia!
6
Obama failed to explain this deal to the American people.
Trump doesn't understand what he is abandoning. Saying "it is a bad deal" means nothing at all.
A man who knows nothing about how trade policy is actually done, intends to go country by country and "do good deals" over the phone? Meanwhile, US access to global markets will be diminished.
All because rust belt workers were sold the lie that "bad trade deals" are what ate their jobs. I'm sorry, but technology doesn't disappear now that the TPP is abandoned. Somebody who cares would tell you the truth, not what is easiest to hear (that also goes for Bernie too who sold the great lie that the American dream is for our sons and daughters to work in 1950s industrial plants while he raised all his kids to do nothing of the sort).
Trump doesn't understand what he is abandoning. Saying "it is a bad deal" means nothing at all.
A man who knows nothing about how trade policy is actually done, intends to go country by country and "do good deals" over the phone? Meanwhile, US access to global markets will be diminished.
All because rust belt workers were sold the lie that "bad trade deals" are what ate their jobs. I'm sorry, but technology doesn't disappear now that the TPP is abandoned. Somebody who cares would tell you the truth, not what is easiest to hear (that also goes for Bernie too who sold the great lie that the American dream is for our sons and daughters to work in 1950s industrial plants while he raised all his kids to do nothing of the sort).
10
Please - this deal has as bad a reputation in Europe as it does here. These deals are negotiated in secret for very good reasons: they shaft workers and make CEOs and stockholders rich.
4
i along with many Americans agree with this sentiment and i hope to someday find out from President Obama why he did not bring the TPP into the light of day.
2
A clearing house for/of facts needed, NOW !..as in yesterday !
All of us should strive to figure out what all of these various actions really will do.
How they will effect us as a nation, and be ready to look/listen around the bluster.
All of us should strive to figure out what all of these various actions really will do.
How they will effect us as a nation, and be ready to look/listen around the bluster.
3
Trump signature does nothing it's all another one of those meaningless symbolic votes Republicans love to do.
FACT, ... Obama never sent the legislation to Congress and it was never ratified therefore it never was put in place.
But do you think that would stop Republicans for taking credit for something they don't do which happens all the time by the way.
FACT, ... Obama never sent the legislation to Congress and it was never ratified therefore it never was put in place.
But do you think that would stop Republicans for taking credit for something they don't do which happens all the time by the way.
1
Certainly, Mr. Obama has worked studiously and genuinely to re-unit the elite nations around the world for the sake of economic and political stability that is hard to accomplish.
However, instead of excessively shielding the policies that have been painfully and successfully done, Trump pointlessly aims to repeal Obama's THINGS not only because his nearsightedness, but in fact, his egotism, bully, cruel behaviors that are completely unacceptable in Oval Office kept him wheeling in the wrong direction.
I'm Liberal and Obama legacy vocal proponent, and I lamented for Clinton unexpected defeat - yes, she's admittedly criminal, but she was following legacy that America built upon it. I'm wondering what else could happen and what also will be repealed. The unbelievably proliferation of republicans across the country will undoubtedly bring the ominously distraction to America and drag its people to the abyss of uncertainties. Unarguably, me and others couldn't overcome the childish and mischievous behavior, racism and misogynistic ideology, and a mingle of antipathy and poisonous mentality that appeared unmistakably during his campaign. However, my impression about Trump in White House is that he seemingly assumes that he's wandering in the same office that he did inside Manhattan. In nutshell, what it seems is that he totally forgot he is running for an office that is responsible to guide a free-land and diverse people ethnically and religiously and protect its democracy legacy.
However, instead of excessively shielding the policies that have been painfully and successfully done, Trump pointlessly aims to repeal Obama's THINGS not only because his nearsightedness, but in fact, his egotism, bully, cruel behaviors that are completely unacceptable in Oval Office kept him wheeling in the wrong direction.
I'm Liberal and Obama legacy vocal proponent, and I lamented for Clinton unexpected defeat - yes, she's admittedly criminal, but she was following legacy that America built upon it. I'm wondering what else could happen and what also will be repealed. The unbelievably proliferation of republicans across the country will undoubtedly bring the ominously distraction to America and drag its people to the abyss of uncertainties. Unarguably, me and others couldn't overcome the childish and mischievous behavior, racism and misogynistic ideology, and a mingle of antipathy and poisonous mentality that appeared unmistakably during his campaign. However, my impression about Trump in White House is that he seemingly assumes that he's wandering in the same office that he did inside Manhattan. In nutshell, what it seems is that he totally forgot he is running for an office that is responsible to guide a free-land and diverse people ethnically and religiously and protect its democracy legacy.
2
Of course you do know that Hillary and Bernie both came out agains the TPP during the presidential campaign and both promised to dump the TTP, right? Of course we know that Hillary has both a "public stance" (dump the TPP?) and private one (I'll lie to the public and i was only kidding when i said I was against the TPP).
I'm blown away that there were even leftover supporters of this deal.
It gave corporations the power to sue sovereign nations for potential lost profits because of future regulations, including ones that might improve the conditions for the working class. How on Earth is that supposed to be justifiable? Sure U.S. corporations would've been the ones to take advantage of it by far but it's disgusting no less.
Furthermore, it would've caused a huge influx of new service workers into the U.S. As it would've imposed regulations to bring SE Asia up to Western standards, you would've seen a huge labor market open up that previously would've never made the cut here. Nurses and others in healthcare are one of the few bastions that provide reliable living wages to Americans. If people think for one second heads of management wouldn't be interested in importing foreign workers who don't demand $30-40/hr wages you must have been not been paying attention to things for the last 3 decades.
To expect these countries to enforce IP and improved working condition regulations is a joke. We've seen how things actually happen with these provisions in the past. What is written and what actually happens are two different things.
The average person in America could really care less about the power projection and political games with China. If the standard of living is decreasing and opportunities fading then it's pointless to worry about influence which is completely intangible.
It gave corporations the power to sue sovereign nations for potential lost profits because of future regulations, including ones that might improve the conditions for the working class. How on Earth is that supposed to be justifiable? Sure U.S. corporations would've been the ones to take advantage of it by far but it's disgusting no less.
Furthermore, it would've caused a huge influx of new service workers into the U.S. As it would've imposed regulations to bring SE Asia up to Western standards, you would've seen a huge labor market open up that previously would've never made the cut here. Nurses and others in healthcare are one of the few bastions that provide reliable living wages to Americans. If people think for one second heads of management wouldn't be interested in importing foreign workers who don't demand $30-40/hr wages you must have been not been paying attention to things for the last 3 decades.
To expect these countries to enforce IP and improved working condition regulations is a joke. We've seen how things actually happen with these provisions in the past. What is written and what actually happens are two different things.
The average person in America could really care less about the power projection and political games with China. If the standard of living is decreasing and opportunities fading then it's pointless to worry about influence which is completely intangible.
7
This comment is a prime example of the lose-lose thinking that has overtaken thinking about trade. Adam Smith's concept of comparative advantage - a win-win process where each locality produces the items it does best while trading with others that they do better, enabling all to maximize wealth and prosperity - has been overtaken by selfishness - an effort by America First to keep all the spoils in a zero-sum world.
2
The TPP deal, even though it's a bit late, might be a good topic for the Times' Room for Debate series. It's the one issue during the campaign that I had no opinion about and still feel as though I can't figure it out. Maybe it's because my field of work is completely unaffected by it -- or is it? i just can't see what the long-term consequences of the TPP, or in this case, withdrawing from the TPP, might be. Or maybe that's the problem, no one quite knows for sure, so everyone is speculating?
6
Oh my, now the backbone of the democrat party, the labor unions, now are rallying behind President Trump. The single largest base block of democrat voters are now turning republican. Well, Hillary and the rest of the democrat party only have themselves to blame. They totally ignored and alienated the working middle class and yes the middle class union workers. TPP, NAFTA which were both democrat "gold standards" cost Hillary the election. If Trump's policies result in more middle class union jobs you can look forward to eight years of Trump.
6
Trump's bluster, insults, threats, and poorly informed decisions will almost certainly not work to America's economic advantage. And manufacturing jobs for low skilled laborers will not come streaming back. My great fear is what he'll then do to distract a very disappointed populace. Alt-facts and spin might work but not for very long if the MSM survives intact.
Republicans are already proclaiming divine support for the iPOTUS* and trying to gin up patriotism, both classic Republican strategies. And they're likely to blame immigrants, liberals, the media, congress, Obama, Hillary, etc for their failings.
But the most egregious and immoral tactic is to start an unjustified war or bombing campaign somewhere. Donald Trump, bone spurs and all, would love to be a war president and blow things up. And probably sooner than later.
* 'i' before POTUS can stand for illegitimate, illegal, intemperate, incurious, immoral, imbecilic, ill mannered, ill suited, etc.
Republicans are already proclaiming divine support for the iPOTUS* and trying to gin up patriotism, both classic Republican strategies. And they're likely to blame immigrants, liberals, the media, congress, Obama, Hillary, etc for their failings.
But the most egregious and immoral tactic is to start an unjustified war or bombing campaign somewhere. Donald Trump, bone spurs and all, would love to be a war president and blow things up. And probably sooner than later.
* 'i' before POTUS can stand for illegitimate, illegal, intemperate, incurious, immoral, imbecilic, ill mannered, ill suited, etc.
1
@dude. I think the count is 4 conflicts unless you include Pakistan, and it's only in play because it harbors members of the Taliban and al qaeda. Bush Jr mucked things up in Afghanistan and Iraq, and it's proven very difficult, if not impossible to make an orderly and permanent withdrawal. Libya and Syria are too complicated to discuss here.
Regarding Trump, he might break with past R presidents (Reagan -Grenada, Bush Sr - Panama, Bush Jr - Iraq), but I wouldn't bet on it. It's proven to be a useful short term PR move.
Regarding Trump, he might break with past R presidents (Reagan -Grenada, Bush Sr - Panama, Bush Jr - Iraq), but I wouldn't bet on it. It's proven to be a useful short term PR move.
1
@dude. Apologies. Forgot about Yemen. That one is very troubling and speaks to our difficult relationship with Saudi Arabia. I feel the Saudis need much stronger supervision to minimize civilian casualties and seek a peaceful resolution. There are already too many murderous tribal conflicts in that region.
1
The TPP might've been the best thing since sliced bread, but its details were kept so secret that it raised legitimate concerns that in fact it was only good for a relatively small set of people, and was bad for the majority of working people, both Americans and those abroad. Trump was right to oppose it during the campaign, and is right to follow through on his pledge.
Like the ACA which was cobbled together behind closed doors, the TPP was negotiated in secrecy, and than presented as "Take it on blind faith". If the Democrats want to know why they lost not only the WH, but Congress, they need to see that crafting deals like this alienate, and even insult, voters.
Those who say the TPP and NAFTA are/were good for America are ignoring the massive damage they did to jobs and wages. Sure, they allowed for lower costs of goods, but much of these goods were of inferior quality. Investors and multinational corporations did well, but not so much working people, most of whom do not have investment portfolios. And as for a loss of influence, when the TPP allowed foreign companies to sue the US for any laws/regulations that it claimed hurt their profits, THAT'S "influence" we can do without!
I don't like Trump, but in this case he did the right thing.
Like the ACA which was cobbled together behind closed doors, the TPP was negotiated in secrecy, and than presented as "Take it on blind faith". If the Democrats want to know why they lost not only the WH, but Congress, they need to see that crafting deals like this alienate, and even insult, voters.
Those who say the TPP and NAFTA are/were good for America are ignoring the massive damage they did to jobs and wages. Sure, they allowed for lower costs of goods, but much of these goods were of inferior quality. Investors and multinational corporations did well, but not so much working people, most of whom do not have investment portfolios. And as for a loss of influence, when the TPP allowed foreign companies to sue the US for any laws/regulations that it claimed hurt their profits, THAT'S "influence" we can do without!
I don't like Trump, but in this case he did the right thing.
3
Yes this terrible, but I want to express my opinion specifically about the article
Trump Repeats an Election Lie in Meeting With Top Lawmakers. I will be brief the constitution protect the country against a mentally unfit president. For God sake this man is mentally ill, clearly he suffered a personality disorder why go alone with this charade? He will cause an irremediable damage.
hope you NYT publish my concern..
Trump Repeats an Election Lie in Meeting With Top Lawmakers. I will be brief the constitution protect the country against a mentally unfit president. For God sake this man is mentally ill, clearly he suffered a personality disorder why go alone with this charade? He will cause an irremediable damage.
hope you NYT publish my concern..
2
Quoting a satirist, 'Kellyanne Conway said that Trump's years of bankrupting a variety of companies would prove “invaluable” as he does the same to the United States.'
Now let's wait and see if now China will negotiate their own trade treaty that will be favorable to China.
Now let's wait and see if now China will negotiate their own trade treaty that will be favorable to China.
1
You can almost smell the stench whenever Trump Inc. opens his huge mouth and blathers on. You can almost feel the jack boots of WW2 when it starts to speak. You can almost see the dictatorial postures of our modern Mussolini as he smirks on his gilded balcony to the millions below and hugs his new friend Hitler (aka Putin). You can almost hear the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth from 21st Century interment camps for those who simply don't belong. And if you are bored reading History, not to worry. You are living it.
3
Obama's legacy is:
(1) His search for legacy
(aka scratchings in the sand at the beach at low tide near the water line, good for one turn of the earth)
(2) Donald Trump, make that POTUS Donald Trump
(3) NOT-President Hillary Clinton
(1) His search for legacy
(aka scratchings in the sand at the beach at low tide near the water line, good for one turn of the earth)
(2) Donald Trump, make that POTUS Donald Trump
(3) NOT-President Hillary Clinton
2
Trade represents 30 percent of the US economy, up from 10% in the 60's. It is not something to be trifled with. Free and fair trade is undoubtedly a net benefit for America, but it invariably creates winners AND losers.
We've done an excellent 'job' of allocating most of the economic gains of the last 40 years to those at the top of the income scale, and a lousy job for those in the middle and lower rungs. We've done an even worse job of redirecting workers who, through no fault of their own, were left high and dry by trade, automation, and technological progress.
Capitalism, trade, and technology are relentless forces moving ever faster. Without a safety net and a plan for those who inevitably lose out, you finally end up with enough desperate people ready to embrace a demagogue like Trump as president.
And now an economic ignoramus with stubby fingers and golden dreams is going to try to fix things. Guess who's going to win this round, too.
We've done an excellent 'job' of allocating most of the economic gains of the last 40 years to those at the top of the income scale, and a lousy job for those in the middle and lower rungs. We've done an even worse job of redirecting workers who, through no fault of their own, were left high and dry by trade, automation, and technological progress.
Capitalism, trade, and technology are relentless forces moving ever faster. Without a safety net and a plan for those who inevitably lose out, you finally end up with enough desperate people ready to embrace a demagogue like Trump as president.
And now an economic ignoramus with stubby fingers and golden dreams is going to try to fix things. Guess who's going to win this round, too.
2
I fail to see why we are discussing this as a matter of Obama's legacy. The treaty has not gone to congress and if it had it would have been supported by more Republicans than Democrats. There is literally no treaty here to be anyone's legacy. As Democrat supporter I am happy to see this tossed out. On this, and not much else, I support the president.
5
Has everyone forgotten that the end of TTP was a principal goal in the campaign of Bernie Sanders? His supporters and many on the left, including some of our top economists, believe it is a bad deal. "Globalization" of trade, many argue, has hit the working class the hardest and profits go mainly to the .1%. If the Democratic Party had shown at least some sympathy for this position, the election results might have been different.
7
Legendary investor Jim Rogers has warned investors that if Trump's actions to restrain trade are implemented, that there will be massive stock losses as a result of other countries putting tariffs and other blockades into effect to constrain the import of American made goods and services.
Should that happen, the life savings and the pension funds of tens of millions of Americans will suffer as the current all time high of American stocks plunge.
It is time for our policy makers to familiarize themselves with the 25th Amendment to the US Constitution, which provides an orderly way of dealing with a POTUS who has become incapacitated to serve.
With actions, there are repercussions.
Should that happen, the life savings and the pension funds of tens of millions of Americans will suffer as the current all time high of American stocks plunge.
It is time for our policy makers to familiarize themselves with the 25th Amendment to the US Constitution, which provides an orderly way of dealing with a POTUS who has become incapacitated to serve.
With actions, there are repercussions.
2
I am noticing something hilarious and bizarre in these comments. Trump supporters are talking about "liberals" criticizing Trump over blowing up TPP while pointedly ignoring the Bernie supporters agreeing with them. Meanwhile Bernie supporters are talking about this as a blow to the Republicans, pointedly ignoring this is something a Republican President has done and Republicans have accepted as a reasonable trade-off for corporate tax cuts and deregulation.
This is actually sort of a moving bipartisan moment where Trumpsters and BernieBros are marching in sync, united in their hatred for TPP. But neither side wants to openly acknowledge it. It's actually people in the center (and economists) who are saying, "maybe you want to slow down before you blow up something as complicated as TPP, because there might be some down sides. Can't we start with declassification, then looking at negotiating modifications?"
I guess that's not really in keeping with the moral simplicity that makes both camps so attractive to their followers.
This is actually sort of a moving bipartisan moment where Trumpsters and BernieBros are marching in sync, united in their hatred for TPP. But neither side wants to openly acknowledge it. It's actually people in the center (and economists) who are saying, "maybe you want to slow down before you blow up something as complicated as TPP, because there might be some down sides. Can't we start with declassification, then looking at negotiating modifications?"
I guess that's not really in keeping with the moral simplicity that makes both camps so attractive to their followers.
1
The decision by Trump to abandon TPP has little do with its merits and everything to do with the man himself.
It is simply not in his nature to involve himself in an arrangment over he does not have total control. Hence his willingness to commit to on-to-one trade arrangements in which he is massively the larger partner and thus more likely to be able to exert the level of control to cement his will.
It was entirely predictable. It is borne of a monumentally narcissistic personality.
Sadly for the the US, this will most probably end in tears. TPP minus one will happen and the U.S. increasingly will be sidelined in terms of global trade.
But every man to his own I say.
It is simply not in his nature to involve himself in an arrangment over he does not have total control. Hence his willingness to commit to on-to-one trade arrangements in which he is massively the larger partner and thus more likely to be able to exert the level of control to cement his will.
It was entirely predictable. It is borne of a monumentally narcissistic personality.
Sadly for the the US, this will most probably end in tears. TPP minus one will happen and the U.S. increasingly will be sidelined in terms of global trade.
But every man to his own I say.
2
So Bernie's campaign promise to abandon the TPP had little to do with its merits and everything to do with Bernie himself. Hillary's campaign to abandon the TPP had little to do with its merits and everything to do with the woman herself?
Ah things are moving along nicely. I couldn't be happier. We will deal with friend and foe alike in a bi-lateral fashion and be better for it.
1
Senator Bernie Sanders strongly campaigned to #StopTPP -- and many, many voters believed that Hillary Clinton only came around in the 11th hour against TPP for their votes - not believable like so many progressive issues that were fought AGAINST in the platform committee. #StopTPP was voted DOWN in the platform committee and a lot of progressives saw where Hillary was headed. The middle class has been dismantled over the last 30 years and we can lay part of that blame at the feet of Corporate Democrats like Bill Clinton and NAFTA. This is why an estimated 25% of voters who normally vote for Democrats switched parties this election. .. Democrats need to stop being the party of Wall Street global manufacturing investors and get back to representing "we the people" on economic issues.
5
Obama was right on this issue where no one else was willing to say the tough thing, Trump and Sanders were both wrong but at least consistent, Hillary was pandering and would have had to abandon it too if elected. This is the one thing we can't complain about Trump on.
1
Democrats have got to give it their all to stop this moron at his every move. This is intolerable. People of sound mind, good conscience, and intelligence are mortified at this spectacle playing out in Our Nations capitol. Get tough Democrats and do what must be done including NOT allowing a ninth justice be determined by this President; they can't have it both ways. Enough; the fix is in.
1
How about covering the Outstanding meeting with AMERICA'S UNION LEADERSHIP, which had formerly backed the Hildabeast and the compulsive fornicator and pathological liar, known as Bill, I've gotta touch every woman I can, Clinton.
3
Has anyone that has commented or been awarded with Times "Best pick" even read a single page of the TPP agreement? Or is everyone commenting here to simply and blindly barrage Trump?
We must understand that there are numerous inclusions that could potentially be catastrophically damaging to the citizens of the "partnered" nations while only empowering global corporations. There are not only specific regulations tailored to assist in the the profitability of big Pharmas by delaying the use of generic meds and upholding monopolistic standards to bio-logics (under the Intellectual Property Chap) but also clauses in the investment chapter that would allow multinational corporations to effectively sue countries if it were deemed fit by investor-state dispute settlement tribunals. Basically, if a company felt that govt regulations of a particular country were impeding the company's future profits the company could file suit with the tribunal which could force the govt to pay settlements.
These are just a few of the immoral conditions that have been "over looked" by TPP supporters in congress with the intent of maintaining control of their political positions whilst padding the pockets of their largest donors in order to regain campaign contributions. This is a horrendous "partnership" that takes the sides of massive corporations vs the common welfare of the people and the environment.
I encourage u to please read into the TPP before making blind accusations about OUR President
We must understand that there are numerous inclusions that could potentially be catastrophically damaging to the citizens of the "partnered" nations while only empowering global corporations. There are not only specific regulations tailored to assist in the the profitability of big Pharmas by delaying the use of generic meds and upholding monopolistic standards to bio-logics (under the Intellectual Property Chap) but also clauses in the investment chapter that would allow multinational corporations to effectively sue countries if it were deemed fit by investor-state dispute settlement tribunals. Basically, if a company felt that govt regulations of a particular country were impeding the company's future profits the company could file suit with the tribunal which could force the govt to pay settlements.
These are just a few of the immoral conditions that have been "over looked" by TPP supporters in congress with the intent of maintaining control of their political positions whilst padding the pockets of their largest donors in order to regain campaign contributions. This is a horrendous "partnership" that takes the sides of massive corporations vs the common welfare of the people and the environment.
I encourage u to please read into the TPP before making blind accusations about OUR President
5
Trade volume is highly dependent on currency values. The US dollar is substantially overvalued while the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan are substantially undervalued. As a result, we run enormous trade deficits with both countries. In turn, China and Japan invest heavily in US public and private investments. So we essentially trade American jobs for investment in the American capital market.
Foreign direct investment is not taxed. But it is of great benefit to US businesses. As a result of our deficits with China and Japan, foreign revenues are shifted from public benefit to corporate benefit. Free trade with countries with undervalued currencies results is good public policy if you believe in trickle down economics. Democrats have long scorned trickle down and so they should favor balanced currencies. But China and Japan will not stand for that. That leaves as our only alternative a system of tariffs.
Trump's trade policy promotes tariffs and rejects free trade with countries whose currencies are undervalued. That is consistent with Democrat economics, which promotes policies that benefit the working class directly rather than relying on trickle down. So the only reason for Democrats to oppose Trump's trade policies is that they are Trump's. That seems to be enough for now. Maybe, some day, Democrats will wake up.
Foreign direct investment is not taxed. But it is of great benefit to US businesses. As a result of our deficits with China and Japan, foreign revenues are shifted from public benefit to corporate benefit. Free trade with countries with undervalued currencies results is good public policy if you believe in trickle down economics. Democrats have long scorned trickle down and so they should favor balanced currencies. But China and Japan will not stand for that. That leaves as our only alternative a system of tariffs.
Trump's trade policy promotes tariffs and rejects free trade with countries whose currencies are undervalued. That is consistent with Democrat economics, which promotes policies that benefit the working class directly rather than relying on trickle down. So the only reason for Democrats to oppose Trump's trade policies is that they are Trump's. That seems to be enough for now. Maybe, some day, Democrats will wake up.
2
It was being expected but the decision on the 3rd day of Trump administration shows his decisiveness. This decision is a risk for the US while a chance and opportunity for China who would probably fill the economic vacuum in the Asia-Pasific region. I am really curious about Trump's decision on NAFTA.
1
Trump doesn't think he's president of the world, just America .
2
Ahh. Good old regressive left hypocrisy.
The grand take away from this comments section is as follows:
"It's only okay for my guy to do it!"
Bernie was against the TPP too. What do you all have to say about that?
The cognitive dissonance that the readership of the NY Times is experiencing at an all time high.
The grand take away from this comments section is as follows:
"It's only okay for my guy to do it!"
Bernie was against the TPP too. What do you all have to say about that?
The cognitive dissonance that the readership of the NY Times is experiencing at an all time high.
6
#Fakenews
Opening sentence starts with a LIE.
"President Trump upended America’s traditional, bipartisan trade policy on Monday as he formally abandoned the ambitious, 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership..."
Said it yourself - "12-nation". Is a 12 nation deal a "bi-partisan" trade deal? No. So, how does killing TPP "upend" America's traditional bi-partisan trade policy? It doesn't.
In fact, the US has long had bi-partisan trade deals with nearly all of the TPP nations. What the TPP does is "upend" "America’s traditional, bipartisan trade policy".
Worse, it sets up a globalist, EU-style, governing board to make decisions - with the US only getting 1 or 12 votes - we'd FAR prefer bi-partisan trade deals where the US negotiates with only 1 other nation.
Worse yet, TPP had enormous Immigration implications - all nations included (which includes Mexico) would have free, unlimited, immigration to the US.
Opening sentence starts with a LIE.
"President Trump upended America’s traditional, bipartisan trade policy on Monday as he formally abandoned the ambitious, 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership..."
Said it yourself - "12-nation". Is a 12 nation deal a "bi-partisan" trade deal? No. So, how does killing TPP "upend" America's traditional bi-partisan trade policy? It doesn't.
In fact, the US has long had bi-partisan trade deals with nearly all of the TPP nations. What the TPP does is "upend" "America’s traditional, bipartisan trade policy".
Worse, it sets up a globalist, EU-style, governing board to make decisions - with the US only getting 1 or 12 votes - we'd FAR prefer bi-partisan trade deals where the US negotiates with only 1 other nation.
Worse yet, TPP had enormous Immigration implications - all nations included (which includes Mexico) would have free, unlimited, immigration to the US.
5
Here is the policy area where Trump supporters and Bernie Sanders' supporters have common interests.Says a lot.
4
Billionaires here, billionaires there, everywhere there are billionaires and like the Treasury Secretary, head of the foreclosure machine, he of the predatory grin and banal appearance...oh, he's gonna take the working man to the promised land.
And Rex? No problems with Russia.
How about Ryan and McConnell...they say "infrastructure isn't high on our list..." Of course not, it might give a working man a job, and why would they want to do something stupid like that? Working men don't contribute like those pharmaceutical companies and oil companies and Wall Street...
....ah, Wall Street. Back running the show for the 15th time in a row.
Mr. America? Mrs. America?
You have no reason to be nervous.
If things for wrong, President Donald will just quack at us, or tweet, or something....what could possibly go wrong?
And Rex? No problems with Russia.
How about Ryan and McConnell...they say "infrastructure isn't high on our list..." Of course not, it might give a working man a job, and why would they want to do something stupid like that? Working men don't contribute like those pharmaceutical companies and oil companies and Wall Street...
....ah, Wall Street. Back running the show for the 15th time in a row.
Mr. America? Mrs. America?
You have no reason to be nervous.
If things for wrong, President Donald will just quack at us, or tweet, or something....what could possibly go wrong?
3
Not a blow to Obama but a blow to the American people. We grow through cooperation and trade. Noncompetitive trade deals may be harmful and should be avoided, but the isolationism that this crowd advocates is harmful to a growing nation. Their policy is backward looking. It is going to result in a substantial decline that they will not be able to paper over with the poor propaganda and lies they have shown us the past 3 days. Change is just two years away. Call 202-225-3121 and scare your congressman.
We need a country of corporate responsibility held in check by proper oversight and targeted tax policy such as financial transaction taxes, VAT and restraints on capital outflows. Throwing a few white collar one percenters in jail would also help.
We need a country of corporate responsibility held in check by proper oversight and targeted tax policy such as financial transaction taxes, VAT and restraints on capital outflows. Throwing a few white collar one percenters in jail would also help.
2
There are many comments here about Trump not reading things before he takes action.
My only observation is that the Democrats would not allow the Republicans to read the Obamacare law before it was passed and signed into law. Regarding the TPP, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans would allow the citizenry to read the law before they attempted to pass and sign the law.
Perhaps there should be some real transparency before we shove these laws down the throats of the American people.
My only observation is that the Democrats would not allow the Republicans to read the Obamacare law before it was passed and signed into law. Regarding the TPP, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans would allow the citizenry to read the law before they attempted to pass and sign the law.
Perhaps there should be some real transparency before we shove these laws down the throats of the American people.
4
I wish the article had also pointed out that the presidents action bailed out a whole bunch of Democrats who now do not have to vote on this treaty.
Mr. Clinton to his credit pushed NAFTA in 1993. With a Democrat controlled House, it passed with 234 200 - a slim majority over 218 required. The Democrat count was 156 no and 102 aye. The Republican count was
43 no and 132 aye.
The Senate passed it 62-38 - with a similar support or lack thereof from the Democrats.
Since 1993, trade treaties have not fared well in the Congress and are actually toxic.
Obama did not submit Iran accord to the Congress for a vote.
And if it were to be voted, it probably would have failed. And probably, it would not have carried a Democrat majority.
So, president Trump has merely acknowledged the political reality.
Mr. Clinton to his credit pushed NAFTA in 1993. With a Democrat controlled House, it passed with 234 200 - a slim majority over 218 required. The Democrat count was 156 no and 102 aye. The Republican count was
43 no and 132 aye.
The Senate passed it 62-38 - with a similar support or lack thereof from the Democrats.
Since 1993, trade treaties have not fared well in the Congress and are actually toxic.
Obama did not submit Iran accord to the Congress for a vote.
And if it were to be voted, it probably would have failed. And probably, it would not have carried a Democrat majority.
So, president Trump has merely acknowledged the political reality.
2
After reading many of the post s it appears every one who attacks trump are all super savvy business people. Ya Right! no nothing never sold any thing welfare recipients!
1
As a supporter of Hillary Clinton, I assumed she had reasons why she was no longer in support of TPP, although I never heard her say what those reasons were. I would guess most Americans (including myself) probably never understood what the TPP was for - I was surprised when I read it did not include China or South Korea - though it included two South American countries as well as Vietnam and Brunei (how many Americans even know Brunei is a country?) Trump's gesture to scrap the TPP carried very little political risk since Congress never passed it and Clinton opposed it. I think this is part of the shell game he plays to make it look like he's for the working class. So far, his picks for the Cabinet are solidly right wing. I think ultimately he will coerce Congress to negotiate deals that reward U.S.-based corporations which will in turn fuel job growth. That being said, no one can bring back the lower skilled, higher paying jobs that drove a manufacturing economy in rustbelt states in days long-since past.
1
TPP, aka, Obama signature deal, was abandoned by the Democrats and Republicans alike. Trump re-abandoned it and taking credit for abandoning it as the title of the article says. Trump getting plenty of free brownie points from labor. He ain't fool.
3
**** Breaking News ****
January 24, 2017
(AP) President Trump announced he will dedicate his first one hundred days in office to two goals: repealing some 60% of all congressional legislation enacted over the last 30 years. When asked by reporters which legislation he intended to make his priority, Mr. Trump said it is the 60% number that is the goal and not any particular type of legislation. His second goal is to isolate every European nation that does not promote the use of his hotels or other properties such as office buildings to visiting foreign diplomats of any nation or relocating their diplomatic headquarters to Trump properties.
January 24, 2017
(AP) President Trump announced he will dedicate his first one hundred days in office to two goals: repealing some 60% of all congressional legislation enacted over the last 30 years. When asked by reporters which legislation he intended to make his priority, Mr. Trump said it is the 60% number that is the goal and not any particular type of legislation. His second goal is to isolate every European nation that does not promote the use of his hotels or other properties such as office buildings to visiting foreign diplomats of any nation or relocating their diplomatic headquarters to Trump properties.
1
Creepy, but definitely his thought process.
I think that this is short-sighted and does, as noted, cede the whole area to China. There were good provisions to improve workers rights in developing countries, which would have been good for the US as they would have served to begin to help even the playing field. The isolationist and protectionist atmosphere in the White House and among the hard right on Capitol Hill is downright scary. It is likely to very greatly diminish US influence around the world.
12
AMH....Your comments on Trumps self satisfying-angry promised erasure of the TPP agreement, reveal the political conditioning of your opinion........"this is short sighted and,does,as noted cede the whole area to China.."and"it is likely to very greatly diminish US influence around the world".........really?
Do you think the US constitutional values call for an ever expanding empire with hegemonic influence over the world? Do you think capitalist greed,which authored the TPP,is sustainable for the earth by endlessly(contractually enforced) plundering of earths natural resources and its "cheap"laborers?
Have you ever heard of Bhutan,where the governments prime objective is the GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS of its people?
Trump has accidentally,for the wrong reasons,taken an enlightened step........even astonishing the robber barons in his cabinet.Now if he,by some miracle,that he would attain real happiness for himself by working to create gross national happiness for his country....not necessarily through accumulation of money ..........hope springs eternal!
Do you think the US constitutional values call for an ever expanding empire with hegemonic influence over the world? Do you think capitalist greed,which authored the TPP,is sustainable for the earth by endlessly(contractually enforced) plundering of earths natural resources and its "cheap"laborers?
Have you ever heard of Bhutan,where the governments prime objective is the GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS of its people?
Trump has accidentally,for the wrong reasons,taken an enlightened step........even astonishing the robber barons in his cabinet.Now if he,by some miracle,that he would attain real happiness for himself by working to create gross national happiness for his country....not necessarily through accumulation of money ..........hope springs eternal!
Among other things, improving wages in other countries helps us to sell goods and services to those countries. Just as it would in our own country, in which top-down efforts to keep labor wages low - for the benefit of much higher income people - surely curtails buying of goods and services and suppresses economic growth.
2
Though I was opposed to the TPP along with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, the crudeness, the meanness of this president in taking and explaining the action taken is unnerving. Why is there such vindictiveness to the words of this president?
19
I agree. It reminds me of when obama said defiantly "I have a pen and a phone". So rude
1
"Why is there such vindictiveness to the words of this president?"
a) because that's the way his mind works
b) because it appeals to his supporters
a) because that's the way his mind works
b) because it appeals to his supporters
2
Treaties w/ foreign nations are another way to create legislation that affects all Americans, however treaties only have to pass the Senate.
I might consider being sympathetic to the TPP if American Labor Unions had played a strong role in constructing and negotiating the TPP. They did not, however, my understanding is corporations did.
Furthermore, my understanding was, the TPP was going to give corporations the right to suit and extract expected profits from sovereign governments that passed legislation that constricted a corporation's expected market. So if a country were to pass legislation to restrict sales of cigarettes Phillip Morris and the like tobacco companies could sue that goverment and extract profits. That would be like the British East India Company suiting the Government of China for loss profits from the banning of the sale of opium in China. If this is true, and I heard nothing that said it wasn't true, than the TPP was a disaster for all but the 1%. It was a disaster to local self government too.
For over 50 years the U.S. Government has been trading away access to the American market and with it American jobs so that the U.S. could enhance its geopolitical hegemony. As a result the median wage has not gone up since 1972 even while GNP has more than doubled.
If the rich weren't getting richer from these treaties there is no way we would ever even consider them. The big danger for Dems is if Trump is a better proxy for the Working Class than they are.
I might consider being sympathetic to the TPP if American Labor Unions had played a strong role in constructing and negotiating the TPP. They did not, however, my understanding is corporations did.
Furthermore, my understanding was, the TPP was going to give corporations the right to suit and extract expected profits from sovereign governments that passed legislation that constricted a corporation's expected market. So if a country were to pass legislation to restrict sales of cigarettes Phillip Morris and the like tobacco companies could sue that goverment and extract profits. That would be like the British East India Company suiting the Government of China for loss profits from the banning of the sale of opium in China. If this is true, and I heard nothing that said it wasn't true, than the TPP was a disaster for all but the 1%. It was a disaster to local self government too.
For over 50 years the U.S. Government has been trading away access to the American market and with it American jobs so that the U.S. could enhance its geopolitical hegemony. As a result the median wage has not gone up since 1972 even while GNP has more than doubled.
If the rich weren't getting richer from these treaties there is no way we would ever even consider them. The big danger for Dems is if Trump is a better proxy for the Working Class than they are.
27
NAFTA, on balance, was good for america. there were losers. what happened in flint occured before NAFTA. What happened to the steel industry in PITTSBURGH happened before TPP. These deals make the best of a bad situation and not the other way around.
24
Right. These "deals" formalize and institutionalize a "bad situation." Got it. And we wonder why the Dems lost.
3
Even though liberals didn't want this deal, they're mad that Trump scrapped it. Hysterical. The left is such a partisan crybaby bunch. The next eight years under Trump will be great just to watch liberal heads explode.
*Yes, I said eight. The rest of America can't stand liberals. The election proved that.
*Yes, I said eight. The rest of America can't stand liberals. The election proved that.
22
Next you'll be agreeing with your man that it was the 3 million odd illegal immigrant votes that secured the popular vote for Clinton!
1
Really? I am a liberal and I have always been in favor of global trade agreements. What you and your fellow deplorables are doing is setting the entire upper middle class of the country against you. The Rust Belt against the Wall Street, the media, Hollywood, the academy, and the high-tech sector. Who do you think will win?
1
The way you're ranting about liberals indicates that you are the partisan one. Some Dems were against TPP and some like myself were cautiously for it.
And just a reminder that "liberals" scored nearly 3 million more votes and filled the streets all around the country this weekend. Like it or not we're your fellow Americans.
And just a reminder that "liberals" scored nearly 3 million more votes and filled the streets all around the country this weekend. Like it or not we're your fellow Americans.
3
Has anyone ever bothered to ask Trump to articulate what, exactly, the TPP does? I'll bet my house that he couldn't begin to describe even a single one of the significant provisions of the agreement. This is because he has ADHD and can't sit still long enough to read a children's book, let alone a document as complex as the TPP agreement.
He "looks presidential" sitting in the oval office signing a piece of paper to end an agreement that would have been a great deal for the U.S. But the fact is that he's just following orders from the Republican crazies who insist on eradicating as much as they can of Obama's accomplishments even where those accomplishments would have inured to the benefit of our country.
Pathetic -- and just the beginning. Thanks a lot, Trump voters.
He "looks presidential" sitting in the oval office signing a piece of paper to end an agreement that would have been a great deal for the U.S. But the fact is that he's just following orders from the Republican crazies who insist on eradicating as much as they can of Obama's accomplishments even where those accomplishments would have inured to the benefit of our country.
Pathetic -- and just the beginning. Thanks a lot, Trump voters.
32
And you have a much keener understanding of big business than Donald Trump, because??
1
Bush, however, could sit long enough to read a Children's book. Remember?
You are so welcome!! You'd be happy about it too if you'd only get informed; best vote I've casted in thirty years and proud of it!
Why so many American leaders, members of Congress, scholars, and experts from our think tanks do not like China? I am not an expert on international trade but I do know that China is the no.2 economy of the world. Whether we like China or not, China will be around for a long time. Talk not hate is the solution for resolving trade disputes with China. I think President Trump has made the right decision to leave TPP project. Obama and his economic team leaders did not like China to getting a stronger position in the Asia/Pacific region and decided to bring out the TPP idea which was originated during George W. Bush administration. It is not going to work but only will create more tension in Asia just like Obama's failed Pivot to Asia policy. Even Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders against the TPP ideas. I hope Trump will seriously negotiate a much fair trade policy for American business community during his administration. He is a good businessman and he knows how to handle crooked Chinese businessmen.
7
i have just re-read this article -- it is hard to see how this can be considered journalism. It is pretty much a sales pitch for TPP, and I would imagine that most or at least much of the wording was supplied by lobbyists.
You at the NYTimes are our finest journalists. You need to have higher standards. By failing to point out the dangers of TPP in a timely way, the NYTimes and other journalists left the door open to Trump. Now we have Trump, who replaces TPP as the greatest threat that we now face.
You at the NYTimes are our finest journalists. You need to have higher standards. By failing to point out the dangers of TPP in a timely way, the NYTimes and other journalists left the door open to Trump. Now we have Trump, who replaces TPP as the greatest threat that we now face.
19
Ending the TTP was a major plank in the Sanders campaign. Does anyone remember that? Unions were opposed. Big banks were for. Guess which side the Democrats chose? The results are evident.,
3
This article just reports the facts of the partnership.
1
All these deals like TPP/Nafta do nothing but sell out our country and shift jobs overseas to countries that depress their currency and employ slave labor. When your country is dependent on cheap goods from slave labor nations you squelch the demand for innovation and investment in your own country and your economy stagnates after all when you have foreign slave labor... why innovate? why invent? why invest in new production improvements that raise the quality of life of your work force and reduce hours and costs while raising productivity?
Slave Labor is Slave Labor, just because they hide it behind currency exchange rates does not make it any less "slave like".
Funny fact, Rome had the steam engine but never used or developed it further because " meh slaves do the work " , and thats one of the reasons Rome fell estimates vary but some say that close to half of Romes population consisted of slaves, if you lumped Chinas population in with the U.S. you are talking a far worse slave ratio than half, another decade of that and America would of fell to a foreign power without question as the decadent effeminate society crumbled from within.
Cheap foreign labor kills nations and its immoral to boot.
Slave Labor is Slave Labor, just because they hide it behind currency exchange rates does not make it any less "slave like".
Funny fact, Rome had the steam engine but never used or developed it further because " meh slaves do the work " , and thats one of the reasons Rome fell estimates vary but some say that close to half of Romes population consisted of slaves, if you lumped Chinas population in with the U.S. you are talking a far worse slave ratio than half, another decade of that and America would of fell to a foreign power without question as the decadent effeminate society crumbled from within.
Cheap foreign labor kills nations and its immoral to boot.
11
I have read that more manufacturing jobs have been lost in CHINA than anywhere else, due to automation moving in to take over jobs that were originally acquired from other countries due to cheaper Chinese labor.
These jobs losses would be in addition to those lost by China to other countries with even lower labor costs.
How do those jobs return that are already lost to automation?
These jobs losses would be in addition to those lost by China to other countries with even lower labor costs.
How do those jobs return that are already lost to automation?
17
Or you could, in time-honoured American fashion, develop products and services of which your rival 'slave labour nations' are not capable?
3
I support Lanza May's point.
And in this, I question the role of Wall Street - which should do more to properly capitalize such developments instead of making $billions on trading schemes with only rare positive effect on new products and services that should be flowing from Main Streets all over the country.
And in this, I question the role of Wall Street - which should do more to properly capitalize such developments instead of making $billions on trading schemes with only rare positive effect on new products and services that should be flowing from Main Streets all over the country.
1
Congress would not have passed it anyway. However, If the Republicans wanted to undercut Dodd Frank. They just lost one of their chances. I am sure they will still find another way.
2
He has already left Obama in the dust of getting more done to make America better in one day and as President elect than Obama did in his entire 8 years. He will fix problems, not create them and help problems grow like Obama did.
10
William Doty, This a dotty comment! No, he has not done more in one day than Obama did in eight years. All he has done so far is sign some documents using executive authority.
As the saying goes, don't count your chickens before they hatch!
As the saying goes, don't count your chickens before they hatch!
2
Let me know when Trump saves us from the abyss of a near-Second Depression, rescues an entire industry (auto), or has the longest uninterrupted streak of private sector job creation.
2
TPP was designed as a counterweight to China.
Now Australia tries to salvage TPP by trying to get China into the boat.
This will create the world largest market, the US will be insignificant in comparison.
Great thinking D.J.Trump!
Now Australia tries to salvage TPP by trying to get China into the boat.
This will create the world largest market, the US will be insignificant in comparison.
Great thinking D.J.Trump!
16
That Donald J. Trump thinks is hyperbole! He pouts mostly!
1
Hillary promised to scrap it as well. It seems it was gone no matter who won. If Hillary had won and scrapped it, we'd be reading an article relaying how ingenious she was, how brave she was and how much better the US was going to be under her direction. No matter what President Trump does, the left will attack and attack and attack. He should just ignore them and MAGA.
1
While the new Administration busily tears down the links in the actual site, people interested in what both parties just threw out can look on the Wayback Machine: http://web.archive.org/web/20170121152350/https://ustr.gov/tpp/
And here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20161123135945/https://ustr.gov/trade-agreeme...
For people interested in reading the full text, or the country-by-country documents, they're available on the second link by clicking the "full text" link on the left.
And here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20161123135945/https://ustr.gov/trade-agreeme...
For people interested in reading the full text, or the country-by-country documents, they're available on the second link by clicking the "full text" link on the left.
10
Day one and Trump is awesome! Finally jobs coming back to the USA!
9
Trump is kind of the opposite of awesome, and this move will cause no jobs to be created in the U.S..
1
The fate of Flint Michigan...usually my first thought whenever economists and politicians talk about the benefits of globalization.
16
Corporations have the tallest buildings, banks in partivular. Joseph Campbell pointed out that many cultural and comparative religions scholars will tell you that a) whoever has the tallest building tells you who is the most important, influential figure heads in that culture and b) the main patrons of artists are usually the self-same figures.
When the pop band Genesis and their drummer was sponsored by SEARS, something had changed. Now? What counter culture desert festival is possible without Budweiser and.Google and Perfumes of Celebrities plastering their names on stages? And sporting events....the entire stadium is a homage to Corporate.Being.
But since they're people now, we should just learn to love 'em.
And these trade deals?
Those voters in Ohio, Mi, Penn, and Wi? They haven't benefitted a dime from Nafta nor would they from this pacific corporate jewel. Stock Market piggies are deep in the trough....Mmm....tastes great everyone!
Just who was looking out for the American worker in this deal?
Yeah...that's what I thought. No one.
And that's why you have this populist buffoon in office who we'll be lucky to survive.
When the pop band Genesis and their drummer was sponsored by SEARS, something had changed. Now? What counter culture desert festival is possible without Budweiser and.Google and Perfumes of Celebrities plastering their names on stages? And sporting events....the entire stadium is a homage to Corporate.Being.
But since they're people now, we should just learn to love 'em.
And these trade deals?
Those voters in Ohio, Mi, Penn, and Wi? They haven't benefitted a dime from Nafta nor would they from this pacific corporate jewel. Stock Market piggies are deep in the trough....Mmm....tastes great everyone!
Just who was looking out for the American worker in this deal?
Yeah...that's what I thought. No one.
And that's why you have this populist buffoon in office who we'll be lucky to survive.
14
Mark my words: trumps poorly thought out trade plans will result in skyrocketing prices on consumer goods and a drastic increase in cost push inflation. It's dumb economics done by a man who is only interested in throwing meat to his base and maintaining his slim grip on power.
Follow these steps:
1 support the mainstream media whose job it is to hold him accountable and defuse his lies
2 mobilize to win back at least one chamber of Congress. Not be cause we're anti Republican but because we need to disable this stupid petty little man and drive him out in 4 years
3 use govt funds to train and educate those left behind. Explain to them why it's dumb economics to revive the coal industry and heavy industry. Find a new way for them with govt help. Don't patronize them like trump.
Educate and help them.
Follow these steps:
1 support the mainstream media whose job it is to hold him accountable and defuse his lies
2 mobilize to win back at least one chamber of Congress. Not be cause we're anti Republican but because we need to disable this stupid petty little man and drive him out in 4 years
3 use govt funds to train and educate those left behind. Explain to them why it's dumb economics to revive the coal industry and heavy industry. Find a new way for them with govt help. Don't patronize them like trump.
Educate and help them.
21
Just how did ordinary Americans benefited from globalism. You say cheap products from China & Mexico. So Mexico or China manufactures products for the US consumers, our US companies move to Mexico and China. They in turn will sell back the products to us with no taxes. Which factory will prosper? Of course the ones in foreign countries. That is why our factories are deserted. So global trade effectively transferred American wealth to foreign countries. American wealth made China very wealthy! What did we gain? Nothing! Who got rich in America? The globalist billionaires who dont have any sympathy to any country. The only reason why they stay here is because of the services they avail here. The conspirators in this grand scheme are the anti- American media and sell-out politicians. For the longest time they have been telling us that free trade is good for the US but can't point to any benefits to the American people.
17
This truth will make a lot of people here squirm.
1
O Chuck, you LOST me when you suggested supporting MSM.
1
Globalisation has been pretty bad for industrial jobs in the western world, but it has benefited the world as a whole, and considerably enriched already affluent nations.
You can't have your cake and eat it ; if you refuse Chinese products, be prepared to earn less in the long term, for this will not stop at corporate earnings.
I can't get around my head why so many Americans don't see this simple equation : either more industrial, low skilled jobs, and a much less wealthy America, or globalisation.
You can't have your cake and eat it ; if you refuse Chinese products, be prepared to earn less in the long term, for this will not stop at corporate earnings.
I can't get around my head why so many Americans don't see this simple equation : either more industrial, low skilled jobs, and a much less wealthy America, or globalisation.
14
Obama thought he was president of the world. Trump understands that he's president of the United States. Thank God.
13
Trump does not believe he is Emperor of the Universe? Oh!
1
he understands nothing as he has no comprehension skills.
2
In blow to Obama's legacy, Trump.
2
Make America Great by turning over all power to China and Russia. What a deal maker!
16
How did Trump turn over power to China and Russia?
You mean he turned over the power to the American people from Anti-US media, Anti-US liberals and sell out politicians.
#MAGA
You mean he turned over the power to the American people from Anti-US media, Anti-US liberals and sell out politicians.
#MAGA
2
Obama's "legacy?" Is that was this was all about--a feather in his cap? In order to have a legacy, one must first accomplish something of lasting value for its own sake and not merely to make one look good. The ACA was thrown together and voted on along party lines and then portrayed as if we were embarking on another New Deal or Great Society. It was a lie, and so was TPP. Obama portrayed it as the centerpiece of a new global economy but it was really just a statue of himself.
11
Anything against Obama's agenda is good for America and Americans.
Obama gave away a lot of American wealth to other countries. His goal is to make America poor. He gave away taxpayers money to Iran without authorization from congress. $400 million cash stacked in pallets as the first installment and the remainder totaled to $1.4 billion. In addition to cash, he sent gold bullions. According to reports Obama paid Iran $33 billion. In July 2009, he sent Hamas $900 million, April 20012 $147 million, July 2013 $500 million, October 2014 $5 billion and Jan 20, 2017; 11 am 1 hour before Trump was inaugurated, they sneaked out $221 million to Hamas in spite of the hold of Congress. Very treasonous act!!!
Yes, I am against every Obama's agenda he does no good to this country plus TPP will devastate this country's economy. In spite the politicians hailing global trade as a success, they can't point out to any benefit to Americans. They pass all these choking regulations basically to push all these manufacturers out to others countries to spread the American wealth worldwide and leave the American workers without jobs. We didn't realize that until someone like Trump pointed it out.
Obama gave away a lot of American wealth to other countries. His goal is to make America poor. He gave away taxpayers money to Iran without authorization from congress. $400 million cash stacked in pallets as the first installment and the remainder totaled to $1.4 billion. In addition to cash, he sent gold bullions. According to reports Obama paid Iran $33 billion. In July 2009, he sent Hamas $900 million, April 20012 $147 million, July 2013 $500 million, October 2014 $5 billion and Jan 20, 2017; 11 am 1 hour before Trump was inaugurated, they sneaked out $221 million to Hamas in spite of the hold of Congress. Very treasonous act!!!
Yes, I am against every Obama's agenda he does no good to this country plus TPP will devastate this country's economy. In spite the politicians hailing global trade as a success, they can't point out to any benefit to Americans. They pass all these choking regulations basically to push all these manufacturers out to others countries to spread the American wealth worldwide and leave the American workers without jobs. We didn't realize that until someone like Trump pointed it out.
Folks he needs our help,he can't do it alone!! We need to stay on our representatives and the congress. He just and man a not a god.
3
The Times and other media keep saying Trump is undoing Obama's legacy. Each day it becomes clearer that Trump is an egomaniac, an amateur and a danger to himself and others. Obama will be remembered for the good that he did. Trump can create harm and hurt people, but nothing he does can undo the good that Obama did.
19
The US government regulates industry with in it borders until the US companies can't compete with less regulated countries. Then the jobs move out of the US. That isn't trade. It looks planned and colusioned by the wealthy.
6
If the neighboring Asian countries would rather do a multi-lateral trade deal with a hostile Communist authoritarian who builds artificial islands for military bases then go ahead. Personally, I believe that a fair, bi-lateral agreement with someone who actually believes in hassel-free international shipping lanes is a better way to go. But, that's just me.
8
Who would need international shipping lines? The most international shipping lines under Trump will be on the Mississippi......
1
Patria/Country. Patriotism/love of country. Putting America first does not mean reducing our influence in the world but using that influence to benefit ourselves first so that we can remain the light to which the rest of the world is drawn and the beacon by which they are guided. It takes great wealth and power for us to occupy that position. A weakened America whose wealth has been redistributed around the globe cannot remain its vibrant center.
6
I'm sure we'll be a great light in the world by buddying up with a brutal authoritarian like Putin. And that puts the lie to all Trump's America First talk. Any diplmat-in-training knows 'better relations' with Russia is meaningless. Our goal in foreign policy is to best represent our interests abroad, not buddy up in the hopes of being thrown a bone.
7
Ed, much of America's wealth appears to be Chinese wealth in the form of treasury bonds.
Will America ever repay these trillions, do you think?
Will America ever repay these trillions, do you think?
3
You keep mouthing off the nonsense fabricated by the radical left. Obama and Hillary are the ones who greatly publicized the Russian reset. Look what have they done. Putin annexed Crimea, threatens Ukraine. Russia emerged as the leader in Syria and caused the middle east massive exodus. I bet you will not blame Obama and Hillary. Yet you accuse Trump of garbage with out any proof. That make you look foolish.
1
Even though I am not a Trump supporter, I felt this article was written unfairly to demonize him as everything else I read today fairly stated that Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders did not support the TPP either, and it was not able to be passed in Congress (briefly mentioned), it had essentially already failed....this would of happened no matter who was elected.
12
No. As Trump said during the campaign, Clinton would have changed a comma or two, pronounced it fixed and signed it. She does what her donors demand. Opposing TPP was merely her "public position".
17
Whatever Trump said during his campaign to me is irrelevant. He says a lot of things with no basis in any fact. Based on everything else I have read, she would have let this one lie dormant. Her heart wasn't in it.
1
"But some in both parties worry that China will move to fill the economic vacuum as America looks inward, and will expand its sway over Asia and beyond."
Obama and the multinationals had all the time in the world to write a clean bill but no. They had to lard with all manner of corporate malfeasance creating patently ridicules law that only a crook could support in the light of day.
Language like this "declared an end to the era of multinational trade agreements that defined global economics for decades," do not help on any front.
Fact is the PPT was doomed the moment it emerged from the back room where it was created.
Obama and the multinationals had all the time in the world to write a clean bill but no. They had to lard with all manner of corporate malfeasance creating patently ridicules law that only a crook could support in the light of day.
Language like this "declared an end to the era of multinational trade agreements that defined global economics for decades," do not help on any front.
Fact is the PPT was doomed the moment it emerged from the back room where it was created.
10
It's not free trade when the countries you are dealing with have different regulations, laws, government minimum wage standards, and fiat currency manipulation standards. Those things are by definition not free trade. I haven't even gotten into slaves, dictatorships, and sweat shops (see minimum wage standards).
This type of "free trade" was a trojan horse designed to strangle a country with it's own rules and regulations, by ignoring one side of the equation.
This type of "free trade" was a trojan horse designed to strangle a country with it's own rules and regulations, by ignoring one side of the equation.
13
And maybe if your country had been smart enough to put worker protections as its top priority in international trade - instead of being anti worker, anti union, and trying to get cheap imports by ripping off ordinary workers in countries like China and elsewhere in the world then "free trade" would have bitten you guys so spectacularly on your butts.
You have reaped what you sowed. And you continue to sow the same old nonsense. Out here in the real world there is exactly zero sympathy for American workers Because for decades your country has led the anti worker push against the worlds ordinary people instead of championing ordinary people of the world and protecting their interests. Your rich profited - like the Walmart owners and all the others while your government pushed your obnoxious anti worker stuff. Now it's come home to roost. Boo hoo. Poor Americans.
There is a solution to all this. It's called imposing fair past and work standards in international trade. I don't expect ignorant Americans to wake up to that fact any time soon. So just keep on buying your cheap stuff at Walmart and eating doughnuts because that appears to be the measure of American leadership these days.
You have reaped what you sowed. And you continue to sow the same old nonsense. Out here in the real world there is exactly zero sympathy for American workers Because for decades your country has led the anti worker push against the worlds ordinary people instead of championing ordinary people of the world and protecting their interests. Your rich profited - like the Walmart owners and all the others while your government pushed your obnoxious anti worker stuff. Now it's come home to roost. Boo hoo. Poor Americans.
There is a solution to all this. It's called imposing fair past and work standards in international trade. I don't expect ignorant Americans to wake up to that fact any time soon. So just keep on buying your cheap stuff at Walmart and eating doughnuts because that appears to be the measure of American leadership these days.
16
You will rue the day, though, that you decided you weren't going to have any sympathy for unemployed American workers when the candidate put into power by those unemployed American workers decides to start world war III and poor little Australia is reduced to rubble while the armies of the big powers fight over its iron ore.
"And he promised to cut up to 75 percent of federal regulations."
The mantra that "too many regulations" hurt business is causing people to forget why we enacted a lot of these regulations in the first place. Environmental regulations were often to protect workers and the environment around them. Other regulations focused on safety and rights of the workers. Are all these people that want Trump to give them a factory job willing to risk their health and the health of their communities?
The mantra that "too many regulations" hurt business is causing people to forget why we enacted a lot of these regulations in the first place. Environmental regulations were often to protect workers and the environment around them. Other regulations focused on safety and rights of the workers. Are all these people that want Trump to give them a factory job willing to risk their health and the health of their communities?
14
ohhh. Every regulation is clothed to protect workers, women, environment, etc, etc.. Just like in California before you can put up any business you go bankrupt first. There is no balance with the radical left. It is a front. The overall goal is to spread American wealth worldwide. The liberals impose restrictive oil drilling regulations in the US side of the Gulf of Mexico while the Mexicans pump and drill without restrictions and they flow freely in the US. The environmental maniacs go crazy when we drill in the US but do nothing to protest in the middle east. It's very obvious there is a systematic destruction of the US economy to weaken America's influence in the world. That's what the anti- US media promotes, the anti-US leftist agenda and sell-out American politicians want. Enough is enough! #MAGA
1
Will Trump follow through on his other campaign promises?
End the Carried Interest loophole
Don't cut Medicare /Medicaid/SS
Return the rule of law to Wall St??
End the Carried Interest loophole
Don't cut Medicare /Medicaid/SS
Return the rule of law to Wall St??
4
Didn't you hear? The newly-appointed Goldman snake Steve Mnuchin is going to restore accountability.
We don't throw people in jail for being idiots and that's the whole problem with this country.
We don't throw people in jail for being idiots and that's the whole problem with this country.
1
The very concept of a trade agreement between countries of vastly different stages of economic developments is flawed. The less developed countries have nothing to offer us but their labor. How can they ever be equal trading partners with us when they are in fact not our partners but merely our suppliers? Trump has the right idea when he advocates trade agreements only with individual countries as opposed to broad partnership agreements in which all member nations are artificially given equal trading status. In entering bilateral agreements with select countries, we will then be free to decide what we want or need from those countries and adjust the terms of our trade agreements with them accordingly. It's the only way to do it.
11
China is absolutely dependent on the American market which is the biggest in the world. China may have graduated from stitching together cheap clothing to making I-phones, but it is still a secondary economy that simply makes things for others. It has gotten very rich in the process, but America holds all the cards, and I would say Trump is playing them very well. The idea that China will end up "holding all the keys" in the Pacific region because of our nixing of TPP is preposterous because China is not even in the same league as South Korea or Japan when it comes to producing innovative products that people are willing to pay a premium price for. Even these more economically advanced countries are our suppliers and base all their manufacturing decision-making on the needs of the American market. As a result we don't need the TPP as much as the TPP would need us. There was therefore no reason for us to join it unless we were willing to give up the natural advantages we have as a nation in favor of the multinational corporations. Why would we ever do that when, as Trump has said, it should be America first?
9
China is the third in the world in patent applications. It is catching up very rapidly to the US. Fundamentally, it also has a population of 1.3 billion. At some point, it is a basic fact it will be a larger consumer market than the US.
To some extent TPP was an attempt to dictates the terms of trade relations with those members while the US still holds the keys. I won't say TPP was perfect, but the idea that we should just tear up TPP and we will "win" (to use Trump's phrase) is pretty doubtful.
To some extent TPP was an attempt to dictates the terms of trade relations with those members while the US still holds the keys. I won't say TPP was perfect, but the idea that we should just tear up TPP and we will "win" (to use Trump's phrase) is pretty doubtful.
10
The USA might be the largest consumer market in the world, but its consumers are up to their necks in debt!! Tens of thousand per capita. China is beginning to produce innovative products such as mobile smart phones at very good prices and cars for export. It is also developing extra high speed railways and marvelous engineering and civil engineering feats and projects. I don't think anything comparable is being done in the States. China has also lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty and has developed an internal market of 350 million middle class Chinese, a larger market than the US'. China has accomplished all this and much more in thirty or forty years. Not to be sneezed at!
2
Free trade is flawed. It's free for others but not free for us. There is great evidence that the US manufacturing plants move to countries where we have free trade. It was designed by the globalists to gain a lot by using cheap labor and selling to high priced market to maximize profit. The sell out politicians, anti-US media and anti-US left are willful participants. It is effectively draining the American wealth and distributing it to other countries. China got rich and America has trillions of debt with no end in sight. American workers are left without jobs and become dependent in the government. A good recipe for bankruptcy. Then they can take away the US currency in global trade. There is nothing they can point out that benefit Americans.
1
In the mid-19th century, 70% of the American labor force worked in farming.
At the turn of the 20th century, 38% of the labor force worked in farming.
By the end of the 20th century, less than 2% of the labor force worked in agriculture.
The only constant in the labor force is change.
The share of the labor force in manufacturing peaked at 38% in the early 1950s.
It has been declining for over 60 years - to 20% now - accounting for only 12% of US GDP.
Undermining global trade by protecting domestic markets reduces incentives to innovate and hurts consumers through higher prices and lower quality.
It will not reverse manufacturing automation, but rather accelerate it.
With just 5% of the global population, the US is the largest economy in the world. Trade agreements encourage sales to the other 6.7 billion people on the planet.
At the same time, America thrived for centuries by drawing the best and the brightest, the hardest working and the most resourceful immigrants.
Immigrants don't just take jobs, they make them.
Half the Fortune 500 companies were founded by first or second generation Americans.
Closed economies like North Korea and Cuba are not beacons of prosperity.
Freedom, democracy, rule of law, free trade, higher education and mobility have made America a land of opportunity.
It is a recipe that works.
Anti-immigration, anti-education isolationism is a time-tested recipe for disaster.
At the turn of the 20th century, 38% of the labor force worked in farming.
By the end of the 20th century, less than 2% of the labor force worked in agriculture.
The only constant in the labor force is change.
The share of the labor force in manufacturing peaked at 38% in the early 1950s.
It has been declining for over 60 years - to 20% now - accounting for only 12% of US GDP.
Undermining global trade by protecting domestic markets reduces incentives to innovate and hurts consumers through higher prices and lower quality.
It will not reverse manufacturing automation, but rather accelerate it.
With just 5% of the global population, the US is the largest economy in the world. Trade agreements encourage sales to the other 6.7 billion people on the planet.
At the same time, America thrived for centuries by drawing the best and the brightest, the hardest working and the most resourceful immigrants.
Immigrants don't just take jobs, they make them.
Half the Fortune 500 companies were founded by first or second generation Americans.
Closed economies like North Korea and Cuba are not beacons of prosperity.
Freedom, democracy, rule of law, free trade, higher education and mobility have made America a land of opportunity.
It is a recipe that works.
Anti-immigration, anti-education isolationism is a time-tested recipe for disaster.
32
The problem in today's world is that fair trade is not being practiced. Have you priced a cantaloupe in Japan or USA made goods in China? Between sky high business tax rates and tariffs put on American imported goods, the USA is at a severe disadvantage when it comes to international trade. Many things can't be made economically in the USA but many other things can. If a country wants to trade with us then they need to open their markets to us on the same terms we open our market to them. Only then will "equilibrium" be reached in what is economical to produce here and what is not.
13
However the US farmers receive subsidies of almost 60% while the far more efficient farmers in Australia and New Zealand receive no subsidies at all and before you claim that their farmers must be very poor they are actually more prosperous than US farmers. Instead of US farmers competing fairly they are hiding behind high subsidies and high tariffs and will only get more inefficient and produce higher priced goods unless the US gets rid of all the protectionist policies and allows Australian and New Zealand farmers fair access to the US market.At the moment the US does not allow them fair access to the US and under Trump it will only get even more unfair.
And to all of those people claiming China's economy is no 2 to the US that is only when it is stated comparing far lower costs in China with the US's much higher costs. Remove the cost factor and China is already 15% bigger than the US economy and within a few years it will be 100% bigger and growing bigger.
And to all of those people claiming China's economy is no 2 to the US that is only when it is stated comparing far lower costs in China with the US's much higher costs. Remove the cost factor and China is already 15% bigger than the US economy and within a few years it will be 100% bigger and growing bigger.
TPP is a trade deal as well as a political deal. And the most serious consequence of tearing down TPP will not be of global trading but of the American influence on trans-pacific matters. But cancelling TPP may save jobs here. As a person living in the rust belt, I am really not sure if I am for or against this deal.
And to all the Trump critics: actually both of the presidential candidates claimed their objection to TPP (unless you think Hillary lied, which with all seriousness I think she did). So banning TPP is more of a trend in American politics than the opinion of a single politician.
And to all the Trump critics: actually both of the presidential candidates claimed their objection to TPP (unless you think Hillary lied, which with all seriousness I think she did). So banning TPP is more of a trend in American politics than the opinion of a single politician.
9
Bernie Sanders was strongly opposed to the TPP and also said he would not sign it. And liberals REVERE Senator Elizabeth Warren even more than Bernie, and SHE is strongly opposed to the TPP.
Why is it OK for THEM....but when Trump opposes it, he's a criminal, insane, a fascist and in the pay of his Chinese creditors?
Why is it OK for THEM....but when Trump opposes it, he's a criminal, insane, a fascist and in the pay of his Chinese creditors?
25
Hillary once called TPP the gold standard of trade deals.
7
No, Concerned Citizen. Trump is considered criminal, insane, and fascist for other reasons, criminal mostly pertaining to his business operations, insane pertaining to his adolescent outbursts and narcissism, and fascist in regard to his anti-democratic statements and impulses, such as wanting to restrain the mainstream media, invoking patriotism and nationalism with he as their great leader, his adulating Vladimir Putin's being a strong man and authoritarian, lying yet calling everyone else a liar and a fraud, and so on.
Trump, knowing virtually nothing about economics and international trade deals has dismissed the TPP to titillate his base and falsely demonstrate how wonderful he is. The fact is, he's got plenty to learn about being a country's leader and a lot to learn about being an ethical and virtuous person!
Trump, knowing virtually nothing about economics and international trade deals has dismissed the TPP to titillate his base and falsely demonstrate how wonderful he is. The fact is, he's got plenty to learn about being a country's leader and a lot to learn about being an ethical and virtuous person!
Now the hard part is going to come up with worthwhile American made substitutes. When I was kid, dad always bought Craftsman tools made here and many of which I still use fifty years later. Now I just buy tools made in China, figuring they're so cheap that it's no big deal to buy another one after it soon breaks or wears out. I wonder if we even remember how to or even care to. It's a disposable world - literally - now, and I can't realistically see the old one coming back. China already knows they own us, no matter what Trump says.
2
No wonder so many people in the rust belt are unemployed if you buy a power tool only every fifty years.....
1
Good -- I'm all in favor of trade, preferably free, but this agreement wasn't about that. It was a corrupt collection of preferences for the politically favored and a vehicle to grant government (and an international committee over which we have no control) powers they shouldn't have, buried in thousands of pages of legalese. Any treaty, or law that can't be read and understood in half an hour, probably should be trashed -- most of these things are about something entirely different than what is claimed.
16
I believe the TPP granted corporations, not governments, governance over a country's social, environmental, and agricultural ambitions through resort to secret tribunals if they interfered with a corporation's earnings.
2
Yes, Trump's ideas have the advantage that all of them can be described in 140 characters.
1
A candidate who actually follows through on campaign promises once elected. No wonder some folks are upset, they thought it was going to be business as usual; say one thing to get elected, do another when in office. While the media, including the NYT, focuses on the small stuff - inaugural attendance dispute- Trump is actually governing and Obama's 'legacy' is shrinking. And it is only the start.
19
Hey, JB, it's pretty early in Trump's mandate to be assessing his worth and ambitions, isn't it? So far he's signed some documents using executive privilege. Besides, it's not at all clear that he or the populace know what he is doing and how he will do this. He's always been very short on details and the "hows"!!
1
was it not he who brought up the subject of attendance?
Bring back products that will be made in America? Holy Hypocrite, Batman! Since Donald Trump uses China to produce much of his merchandise can we assume the prez will lead by example?
Don't hold your breath, America.
Don't hold your breath, America.
14
As I recall, Mrs. Clinton had her own reservations about the TPP, at least once she twigged to the fact that unless she formulated some she might lose to Trump by double-digits. Why is the fact that Trump is doing as president precisely what he committed to doing during the election so astonishing? And why is it material that this was President Obama’s signature trade deal? Wrong is wrong.
Erecting an “economic bulwark” against a rising China will need to be built of different bricks – American jobs were getting a mite expensive. Completely “free trade” is a race to the bottom. And I’d expect up-against-the-wall conservatives to be defenders of an America consisting of five “winners” and 320 million “losers”. Instead, we get the left apparently defending this curious notion, for no real reason than adamant resistance to EVERYTHING Trump – forgetting conveniently about those Clinton reservations.
It’s true that this is a news piece and not “Opinion”; but … I must admit that the tone had me fooled for a second.
Erecting an “economic bulwark” against a rising China will need to be built of different bricks – American jobs were getting a mite expensive. Completely “free trade” is a race to the bottom. And I’d expect up-against-the-wall conservatives to be defenders of an America consisting of five “winners” and 320 million “losers”. Instead, we get the left apparently defending this curious notion, for no real reason than adamant resistance to EVERYTHING Trump – forgetting conveniently about those Clinton reservations.
It’s true that this is a news piece and not “Opinion”; but … I must admit that the tone had me fooled for a second.
11
Hillary was in favor of TPP, but chickened out when a lot of people came out against it. Same with Congress. There was even talk of passing it in the recent lame duck senate session.
Hillary would have change a couple of minor things and gotten Congress to pass it.
Hillary would have change a couple of minor things and gotten Congress to pass it.
Look, nothing good is coming from this ludicous presidency. Nothing. I hear maybe the markets will go up housing will be great. Everything was pretty great and greed got in the way. Greed never works out for us average Americans. We are the clean up crew. Well, white man go for it-- destroy our society and the world. We know that's what you do so well. Some of us know our history.
6
The terms of trade agreements like TPP were so vicious, I can't believe that people actually dare come onto this site and lie and lie to support them. One of the comments was that the TPP terms gave up very little. What a lie. Don't you know that the TPP game is up? You have been found out. May of the terms of the TPP have been leaked, and many of us now know that they are.
Bernie found out and campaigned against it. We trust Bernie and not you. If the fight against TPP had been on the Democratic platform, Hillary might have won. If she had campaigned against TPP, she would definitely have won--and she would be leading our country in a wonderful new direction.
Those of you on this site who are apologizing for TPP have given Trump an opportunity to win (with Russian and Comey help), and we may ultimately lose our democracy as a result of the greed of those who sought to sneak TPP through.
Bernie found out and campaigned against it. We trust Bernie and not you. If the fight against TPP had been on the Democratic platform, Hillary might have won. If she had campaigned against TPP, she would definitely have won--and she would be leading our country in a wonderful new direction.
Those of you on this site who are apologizing for TPP have given Trump an opportunity to win (with Russian and Comey help), and we may ultimately lose our democracy as a result of the greed of those who sought to sneak TPP through.
11
This is a tough one for democrats, because a good majority of them were against TPP.
15
This is not a tough one for me, and it shouldn't be for Democrats. I despise Trump and 90% of his positions, and I believe he is dangerously unqualified to be President, both in preparation and temperament.
However, I oppose the TPP, and I am willing to give him credit for pulling out of it. Good. I am glad he did it. I supported most of Obama's agenda, but I opposed this.
When Americans become so partisan that we judge actions based on which party does them, governing becomes dysfunctional. That's why Republicans oppose the ACA, even though it was their own plan. It's why Democrats who opposed drone warfare and warrantless spying during the Bush Jr. era suddenly supported it once Obama began doing it.
There will likely be very, very few actions by Trump that I agree with, but this is one of those rare instances. And I give him credit for it. No internal conflict here.
However, I oppose the TPP, and I am willing to give him credit for pulling out of it. Good. I am glad he did it. I supported most of Obama's agenda, but I opposed this.
When Americans become so partisan that we judge actions based on which party does them, governing becomes dysfunctional. That's why Republicans oppose the ACA, even though it was their own plan. It's why Democrats who opposed drone warfare and warrantless spying during the Bush Jr. era suddenly supported it once Obama began doing it.
There will likely be very, very few actions by Trump that I agree with, but this is one of those rare instances. And I give him credit for it. No internal conflict here.
1
Democrats (and others too) were (and are not) not against trade or trade deals. They were against certain provisions of the TPP, such as the power for corporations to take national governments to secret tribunals if these governments' regulations and protections offended the pursuit of corporate profits! They were also critical of increased costs of medicines. This has been a major concern in my country.
I can't quite figure how other countries are "stealing our companies." The last time I checked, their were buying them with the money they made from their highly efficient manufacturing sector. Trump seems to be stuck in some mercantilist past. I could never quite figure out the TPP, having distrusted the secrecy of the proceedings and the players, but it had a clear geo-political aim of containing the growing Chinese influence in the region. Given the Taiwan gaffe, and Tillerson's aggessive stance on 3000 acres of artiificial islands, the prospects do not look good. I am not quite sure why the US would want to get to closer to Russia, a second-rate economic power and as corrupt as they come. And this is only Day One.
9
The craft labor unions oppose this and so do I. Bravo, President Trump!
13
As much as I hate the fake president, I think this is a good move. If Bernie opposed TPP, so do I. I hope that trump also renegotiates many other trade deals. In most trade deals, the US always gets treated as the chump with the only beneficiaries being the executives of MNCs. Have you ever wondered why we allow Hyundais to be sold in the US whereas you won't find very many American cars in South Korea? It is time to get tough with our trading partners. No more free rides. Our trading partners only buy the high-tech goods that they cannot make for themselves and rarely give us access to markets where our goods compete with theirs. Free market only works when all markets are free, not just the US market.
13
Ironically, the TPP would have directly addressed your concerns regarding the auto industry. For example, the TPP would've allowed the US auto manufacturers better access to the Japanese market, while retaining the US exports business for parts, as you've alluded to. See:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-tpp-autos-exclusive-idUSKCN0RW2J...
Coincidentally, it's also been reported that the auto industry hit a record in exports for previous year:
http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/mark-phelan/2017/01/21/donald-trum...
As the NYT article here suggests as well, the TPP would've provided the US a great amount of leadership and power in trading with its Asian partners without making a significant amount of concessions. There certainly are some clauses that can raise legitimate concerns, but there's the saying about babies and bathwater (which is also entirely applicable to the situation of the ACA).
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-tpp-autos-exclusive-idUSKCN0RW2J...
Coincidentally, it's also been reported that the auto industry hit a record in exports for previous year:
http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/mark-phelan/2017/01/21/donald-trum...
As the NYT article here suggests as well, the TPP would've provided the US a great amount of leadership and power in trading with its Asian partners without making a significant amount of concessions. There certainly are some clauses that can raise legitimate concerns, but there's the saying about babies and bathwater (which is also entirely applicable to the situation of the ACA).
19
Trump always claims that the US has gotten the shaft with NAFTA, but this is not so, at least in regard to Canada's participation in it. Long before Mexico joined NAFTA, Ontario had lost 500,000 manufacturing jobs. Now, where did they go to? Canada is constantly taking the US to the dispute tribunal over Canada's export of soft wood lumber to the US, which is always claiming Canada subsidizes its lumber exports only because much of this lumber is produced from trees on federal and provincial forests. Canada usually wins but the USA never pays up.
Trump is bullying, insinuating that the US must get the most out its trade agreements, over other signatories, and if not, he will abandon them. Every country promotes its interests, so why should Trump deny this to them? Agreements have to be fair and equitable, not slanted to one sole nation. They too can walk away from the table!
Trump is bullying, insinuating that the US must get the most out its trade agreements, over other signatories, and if not, he will abandon them. Every country promotes its interests, so why should Trump deny this to them? Agreements have to be fair and equitable, not slanted to one sole nation. They too can walk away from the table!
Obama will be just fine. Regardless of whatever the vindictive and racist Republicans repeal, history will be kind to him, which is a lot more than I can say for Trump and his cronies.
15
For me this was good on Trump's part and being a Bernie supporter it was the right move for protecting our sovereignty which would have been under attack with the implementation of passing TPP. Our nation's and state's laws would have been overridden by TPP ... remember, Nafata gave Canada the right to overrule our nation's and California's environmental laws for their cancerous gas additives that had leached into the groundwater of California homeowners. Think of that, another country's profits were able to be put before Americans in our own country ! TPP was NAFATA on steroids and I haven't even mentioned how big pharma would have been allowed to keep our drugs from going generic. The reason it was kept secret because the damned multinational lobbyists wrote it and their multinational lawyers were going to staff the world court with jurisdiction over our nation and state laws. For a cheap television and a cheap iPhone people will sell their nation's sovereignty!
13
Throughout history, every empire that has been has faced a tipping point when it surrenders dominance and passes leadership to the next power. The US abandonment of TPP is the moment the USA passes dominance to China. Whatever Trump thinks he is gaining, he has put US behind for decades and possibly forever.
12
Without the USA market, China will go into a massive economic meltdown. The fact is they need us far more than we need them. Their economy is being held together by bailing wire and duct tape. A Great Depression is coming for them and they can't stop it.
3
Continued. Labor Unions applauded! Who's going to bail out the rust belt next go around. America elected a reality show personality as president.
Who is so out of touch with reality.
Who is so out of touch with reality.
2
Better hope not. We are a global economy. One fails we all fail.
2
To read the proposed TPP you had to go into a special room, sign a non-disclosure agreement, have the documents checked out to you, and read them there. No Notes. No leaks to the public. A treaty negotiated in secret with none of the details available to the Public. And there are people in this country that would agree to that?
15
And yet there are libs that cry about such a secret document being canned. It should now be brought out into the open so all can see what kind of "deal" obama signed us into.
9
Sure, nothing like Trump's non-existent taxes. If only we could sign into a secret room to read them. Where are they?
Wouldn't you think he would want us to be assured of his righteousness and purity? That he is not taking emoluments from foreign governments?
Prove it!
Wouldn't you think he would want us to be assured of his righteousness and purity? That he is not taking emoluments from foreign governments?
Prove it!
8
Who cares? If anything was amiss, Obamas IRS would have leaked it to the public and nailed Trump to the wall. Seeing his taxes changes absolutely nothing.
2
Being from Australia I can not see another trade agreement helping our country. To date we have a growing employment problem coupled with Under-employment of our workers as we send our manufacturing jobs overseas.
I am glad that he has done this as it is only another example of how "Capitalism" is taking over democracy world wide.
I am glad that he has done this as it is only another example of how "Capitalism" is taking over democracy world wide.
8
As a fellow Australian, Glennbob, where do you think manufacturing jobs are going to come from in our country? We mostly can't compete with anyone in Asia in manufacturing and mostly never will. Secondly, why would we want to? These are mostly poor jobs. High tech mass manufacture is the only way to go. You see any politicians in our country promoting that?
The only way to get more jobs here is to access more markets and find our niche, which we have mostly failed to do except in mining and agriculture (because those industries have already enjoyed too much protection in our country). That means more education and more integration in Asia. How do you think we can do that by retreating from the world?
There are problems with globalisation and integration in world markets. But our politicians haven't properly addressed them and we are just wallowing around. The solution is strong action and strong leadership and vision - not running away. As an Aussie I am embarrassed to see your comment. That is not the ANZAC spirit that we share.
The only way to get more jobs here is to access more markets and find our niche, which we have mostly failed to do except in mining and agriculture (because those industries have already enjoyed too much protection in our country). That means more education and more integration in Asia. How do you think we can do that by retreating from the world?
There are problems with globalisation and integration in world markets. But our politicians haven't properly addressed them and we are just wallowing around. The solution is strong action and strong leadership and vision - not running away. As an Aussie I am embarrassed to see your comment. That is not the ANZAC spirit that we share.
10
And remember ANZAC stands for both Australia and New Zealand , not just Australia!
What's important here is not Obama's legacy, but the fact that the US is withdrawing just in time to make way for another power to rise. It's a story of monumental, historical import.
So why does the second half of the headline on my computer say, "In blow to Obama's legacy?" Even in the body of the story, the geopolitical import is relegated to the second half of the sentence, "..not only doomed former President Barack Obama’s signature trade achievement, but also carried broad geopolitical implications in a fast-growing region."
But also? A historic geopolitical shift is a "but also?"
If I read that the things that Trump does to dismantle our progress on climate change are primarily a blow to Obama's legacy, I'll scream.
This is partly a question of optics. But it's also partly an issue of what it says the Times actually thinks is important. I'd like to see more reporting on the fallout of these decisions than the political tit for tat with Obama.
Come on, guys. You're getting it right on calling out this hack on his habitual lying. Let's also get it right when it comes to emphasizing the actual consequences of his moves. The consequences to Obama's legacy are far less important than the consequences to the world.
So why does the second half of the headline on my computer say, "In blow to Obama's legacy?" Even in the body of the story, the geopolitical import is relegated to the second half of the sentence, "..not only doomed former President Barack Obama’s signature trade achievement, but also carried broad geopolitical implications in a fast-growing region."
But also? A historic geopolitical shift is a "but also?"
If I read that the things that Trump does to dismantle our progress on climate change are primarily a blow to Obama's legacy, I'll scream.
This is partly a question of optics. But it's also partly an issue of what it says the Times actually thinks is important. I'd like to see more reporting on the fallout of these decisions than the political tit for tat with Obama.
Come on, guys. You're getting it right on calling out this hack on his habitual lying. Let's also get it right when it comes to emphasizing the actual consequences of his moves. The consequences to Obama's legacy are far less important than the consequences to the world.
13
No mention that details of TPP were hidden from the public and only exposed by WikiLeaks?
18
It seems to me that access to the American consumer market is the coveted prize, and Malaysia, Vietnam, Korea Japan, etc. will still pursue deals directly with America. Everybody wants access to the American market, and they want to restrict American access to their markets. Trump's instincts may be correct, that America can do better with bilateral trade deals with each country, one by one. Moreover, TPP included provisions which allowed America to be dragged into international courts that would allow TPP signatories to challenge American law, and this is of concern as it is in effect a loss of our sovereignty. Obama was too quick to give away the farm in many respect just to ink a deal. Also, rejecting TPP this gives the new Administration leverage to remake more favorable deals that encourage more jobs in America. I think the President is also interested in taking on the pharmaceutical industry and the manner in which they charge Americans very high costs for medications. The TPP would have entrenched the industries leverage by restricting import and manufacture of drugs manufactured overseas, as I understand it. So Trump is taking a different view of TPP, and how it could affect his leverage in other negotiations. I am inclined to trust the President, as it seems to me that he does have a plan. Its not that he is against free trade, but he wants free trade that benefits America in many ways.
10
Didn't the left used to throw protest globalization and throw Molotov cocktails at WTO meetings? That doesn't seem so very long ago. And now it's flipped?
10
He has just handed China a gift potentially worth billions and left Japan, America's second-largest trading partner in Asia and its main ally in the region, twisting in the economic wind. nearly 10 years of work down the tubes at the stroke of a pen. Sad.
10
Please stop talking about "legacy." The only question is whether
or not the TPP -- or anything Trump is erasing -- is good or not
for the world (not, by the way, just for Americans living now).
or not the TPP -- or anything Trump is erasing -- is good or not
for the world (not, by the way, just for Americans living now).
9
If Obama had followed the constitutional requirement to have congress pass any trade deals he negotiated with foreign countries, Trump wouldn't have been able to overturn this so easily. Paris climate and Iran deals next. Live by the pen. Die by the pen.
14
Straight up reality
5
@Stan - With a hostile congress (remember Mitch McConnell's vow to oppose everything Pres. Obama proposed) Obama did the best he could to introduce new deals. It remains to be seen if scrapping the TPP will be beneficial to the US.
1
Congress in fact gave him "fast track" authority to negotiate it. They were basically on board.
It was signed and sent to the Senate for approval, but recent opposition made them put it on hold until Trump arrived.
It was signed and sent to the Senate for approval, but recent opposition made them put it on hold until Trump arrived.
Did he even read it first?
3
Did Obama, Pelosi, or Reid read the ACA before pushing it on Americans?
We KNOW Pelosi didn't
We KNOW Pelosi didn't
11
He had to repeal it before we can see what's in it.
5
Reporters should ask Spicer when he will convene a bi-partisan committee to investigate the 'alternative fact" that millions of aliens voted for Clinton and say that a group of newspapers and network news outlets would be willing to participate in the study.
5
Aliens, as in from outer space, will be Trump's next argument.
6
yes
1
The art of the deal. Let Trump do it, not a bunch of bureaucrats.
5
He was pretty consistently against this as was Bernie Sanders.
Hillary 'evolved' to be against it.
Would people criticize this decision if it was Sanders taking the action?
Hillary 'evolved' to be against it.
Would people criticize this decision if it was Sanders taking the action?
16
Yes. Sanders' pie in the sky provencialism is thee main reason I could not support him. It was an overly simplistic and naive world view, as is Trump's. And as for Hillary, well, we all knew what she really thought about TPP by her initial support for it-- despite her campaign rhetoric.
Yes, I would have disparaged either one of them for this. However, neither Hillary Clinton nor Bernie Sanders is the President; Donald J. Trump is, and with leadership comes accountability for ones actions. Period.
Yes, I would have disparaged either one of them for this. However, neither Hillary Clinton nor Bernie Sanders is the President; Donald J. Trump is, and with leadership comes accountability for ones actions. Period.
5
I feel fairly certain that if it was Sanders doing this, every Republican would be thoroughly against it.
10
Most people here commenting including myself qualify as "everything Trump does is bad", but in reality TPP was a really bad deal for the American people because it took away tariffs on goods made elsewhere in Asia which meant that companies took their manufacturing elsewhere because they did not have to bother with worker's rights, minimum wage, environmental policies and then sell those products back to US.
TPP was a terrible deal for jobs and the environment and although I do not support Trump, glad it is finished!
TPP was a terrible deal for jobs and the environment and although I do not support Trump, glad it is finished!
15
What I don't get is this. From where I sit the TPP was a cunning attempt by the Obama administration to lock China out of a trade agreement that covered most of the Pacific. It would have locked the US in as the dominant trading partner in the Pacific. The effect of discarding the agreement will be to allow China to build its own free trade zone around the Pacific with the USA not at the table. I don't see an advantage in this to the USA. In the mean time President Xi of China is in Davos touting the benefits of free trade. I have a pretty clear idea where my country, Canada, will be building trade relationships for the next four years.
8
@Al Maki
Hint : What do these s.e.asian countries make that you cannot make here ? What do we make that those countries cannot make ?
Get it ? No ? Here's another hint :
They are apples and oranges .. or more appropriately, veggies and advanced manufacturing comparison.
Hint : What do these s.e.asian countries make that you cannot make here ? What do we make that those countries cannot make ?
Get it ? No ? Here's another hint :
They are apples and oranges .. or more appropriately, veggies and advanced manufacturing comparison.
5
Please , stop saying that this is a lost for the US. It's not. It's a lost for Apple, Microsoft, Google, GM, Caterpillar, etc...
I would cry for them but since they have decided that Corporations are apatrid, why should I?
I would cry for them but since they have decided that Corporations are apatrid, why should I?
10
When the retaliation of taxing our grain exports and aircraft exports hits the fan the fools in charge will say it was Hillary and Obama's fault.
And ya ain't seen nothing yet.
And ya ain't seen nothing yet.
5
I like how before the election the commenters hated the TPP. Now that Trump says we are backing out of it, everyone loves the TPP.
If Trump created universal medicare, I bet these commenters would rail him for putting insurance companies out of business lol.
Look, the TPP turned corporations into nation states and gave them more rights than American workers. Lowering tariffs only allows manufacturers to move their factories to exploit low paid workers even more. If there are no tariffs between countries A and B, and the yearly wage of a worker in country A is $50,000/year and in country B its $2,000/year, guess where a company that needs workers is going to go? Thats right, country B.
That and the fact that corporations could essentially sue nation states for lost profits makes the TPP a bad deal for the American worker. Dont get me wrong, its a great deal for multinational corporations and the 1%. It would probably cause the economy to grow. However, if all that growth only benefits the owners of multinationals and the 1%, then that growth is a bad thing. These people already have enough money and power. Why give them more?
If Trump created universal medicare, I bet these commenters would rail him for putting insurance companies out of business lol.
Look, the TPP turned corporations into nation states and gave them more rights than American workers. Lowering tariffs only allows manufacturers to move their factories to exploit low paid workers even more. If there are no tariffs between countries A and B, and the yearly wage of a worker in country A is $50,000/year and in country B its $2,000/year, guess where a company that needs workers is going to go? Thats right, country B.
That and the fact that corporations could essentially sue nation states for lost profits makes the TPP a bad deal for the American worker. Dont get me wrong, its a great deal for multinational corporations and the 1%. It would probably cause the economy to grow. However, if all that growth only benefits the owners of multinationals and the 1%, then that growth is a bad thing. These people already have enough money and power. Why give them more?
17
There you go being all rational and everything
10
Let's be clear here. This is a knee-jerk reaction. If TPP did not serve the interests of most Americans, was tearing it up the only possible solution? It frightens me that so many Americans on both the right and left think so in what appears to be religious fervor. Do they know the full provisions of TPP? Do they object to the provisions that protect intellectual property, which will help American patents and copyrights? Do they object provisions that will obligate member countries to follow labor rules to even the field of competition?
There was no even a moment's thought to, in a nuts-and-bolts discussion, target the specific problems of TPP. There was no thought to delay ratification of TPP to re-negotiate with member countries. It was religious belief that if we just blow it all up, manufacturing jobs will sprout from the ground. Will this have no impact when all our new manufactured goods are looking for an export market? Or are we, a country with an aging and shrinking population, become an insular economy?
Economic policy, of all government policies, should be governed by rational decision-making. We are treating it like an emotional experience. Like a religion.
There was no even a moment's thought to, in a nuts-and-bolts discussion, target the specific problems of TPP. There was no thought to delay ratification of TPP to re-negotiate with member countries. It was religious belief that if we just blow it all up, manufacturing jobs will sprout from the ground. Will this have no impact when all our new manufactured goods are looking for an export market? Or are we, a country with an aging and shrinking population, become an insular economy?
Economic policy, of all government policies, should be governed by rational decision-making. We are treating it like an emotional experience. Like a religion.
11
Do you really believe China and others are going to have follow labor laws?
How about environmental laws?
Silly.
There is something many here treat like a religion though, man made global warming
How about environmental laws?
Silly.
There is something many here treat like a religion though, man made global warming
4
(1) Uh...China is not a signatory to TPP
(2) Some of the member countries already have stronger labor laws than the US as it stands, like Canada.
(3) Yes, even critics appear to acknowledge that TPP has labor standards that countries like Vietnam will have to comply with. They dispute whether the standards will be enforceable. But hey, if Donny can make Mexico pay for the wall, why can't he make TPP members comply with labor standards?
(4) I agree man-made climate change is an issue treated like a religion by some, but not by the vast majority of the planet's scientists who can actually explain the reasons for their positions. Speaking of China, they also believe in global warming. The Chinese government just put $360 billion into green energy.
Silly, indeed.
(2) Some of the member countries already have stronger labor laws than the US as it stands, like Canada.
(3) Yes, even critics appear to acknowledge that TPP has labor standards that countries like Vietnam will have to comply with. They dispute whether the standards will be enforceable. But hey, if Donny can make Mexico pay for the wall, why can't he make TPP members comply with labor standards?
(4) I agree man-made climate change is an issue treated like a religion by some, but not by the vast majority of the planet's scientists who can actually explain the reasons for their positions. Speaking of China, they also believe in global warming. The Chinese government just put $360 billion into green energy.
Silly, indeed.
6
Yes US labour laws in many cases are third world compared to the more advanced democracies in the world. US only ranks 20th in world for democracy and 17th in world for prosperity of its citizens. There are no federal laws granting annual holidays in the US nor is paid sick leave provided for. Around a third of US workers get no annual holidays compared to an average of 4 weeks paid leave in most advanced countries. And US workers whose employers do give them paid annual holidays generally only get 2 weeks a year.
I was part of student group that met a group of trade negotiators for a Q&A. Most of them were Lawyers. I offered them to include in future trade agreementsa clause whereas I could hire a lawyer from India or any other cheaper country to represent me in court via Skype. Their answer to me was: It's Complicated. It can't be done. etc...
My point is, these experts in charge of trade negotiations are very good at protecting their own jobs.
My point is, these experts in charge of trade negotiations are very good at protecting their own jobs.
14
Oh, those sneaky lawyers, clearly trying to put one over on you.
It can't possibly be that most countries (and individual states in the US) have licensing requirements so some random guy from India cannot practice law, over Skype or otherwise, in your jurisdiction.
It can't possibly be that most countries (and individual states in the US) have licensing requirements so some random guy from India cannot practice law, over Skype or otherwise, in your jurisdiction.
3
The United States already has trade deals with these countries. What do we need yet another one for?
Talk about over-regulation!
Talk about over-regulation!
3
Contrary to what is stated in today's NYT editorial, the US currently has a $12 billion trade surplus with Canada (https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/americas/canada), consisting of a $15 billion deficit in trade in goods but a $27 billion surplus in trade in services. GNP is the value of goods and services, not just goods alone, and trade is trade in goods and services, not just goods alone.
2
The assumption that Trump's abandonment of TPP will force the nations of the western Pacific Rim into the economic fold of Red China is most likely an illusion. Deep distrust, founded on centuries of contact, is found within many of those countries of China. But what it does assure is that America's 20th Century foreign entanglements in that area are being diminished. No longer will the US military be required to protect misplaced foreign investment in the region. The nations of the western Pacific Rim will rise and fall economically on their own merit. Ingress to the vital American markets, also crucial to the economics of China, will be determined on free trade and equitable access to each other's domestic markets. China, much like the economic zenith of Japan of the 1980s, may find the additional climb extremely difficult.
6
I'm glad the TPP died. Obama should have NEVER sponsored this kind of bill. That is part of the Democratic Party's agenda set down by the elite and Wall St. I am completely opposed to this man and the Party he represents, but on this particular issue, I applaud him. I believe Bernie was against the TPP too.The Democratic Party needs an overhaul URGENTLY.
Perhaps Trump will surprise us and will push through a single payer's health insurance bill after eliminating Obama Care ...
Perhaps Trump will surprise us and will push through a single payer's health insurance bill after eliminating Obama Care ...
11
Food for thought for those of you so in favor of TPP. This agreement was negotiated, and maintained in such a highly secretive environment, that for a sitting United States Conrgressman (or woman) to view the document, they were required to enter a top secret room in the capitol building....surrender ALL of their electronic devices, AND sign a non-disclosure agreement forbidding them from discussing ANY element of the text with anyone...for any reason.
Now....you tell me with a straight face.....that such a "valuable" trade deal is going to benefit the United States citizenry....when a sitting Conrgressman can't even discuss it with his constituents.....and I'll offer you a once in a lifetime real-estate investment in Mena Arkansas.
Now....you tell me with a straight face.....that such a "valuable" trade deal is going to benefit the United States citizenry....when a sitting Conrgressman can't even discuss it with his constituents.....and I'll offer you a once in a lifetime real-estate investment in Mena Arkansas.
11
Hopefully, we will be able to bring up charges of some wrong doing against these people.
2
After reading the comments following this story I am truly amazed by two things: 1) how many experts there are in international trade and, 2) how many of those experts have infallible crystal balls.
12
Everyone needs to take a deep breath and a couple of giant steps BACK.
President Trump started with $1,000,000 and turned it into $10,000,000,000. (If you want, use the oft-reported gross-underestimate, 'only' $4,000,000,000.) Along the way he was in debt negative-billions, before crawling out to become one of the most successful & richest men in world history.
He's officially been in office as President of the United States exactly ONE DAY.
And on his 1st day in office, he's already taken bold action to direct America back onto a course that equates to greater safety, employment, wealth and respect FOR AMERICANS.
To get to the WH, he overcame the greatest combined opposition to any single Presidential-Candidate in our nations 240-year history, and is the first to be elected President without ever having held elective office before. It's the most extraordinary, TECTONIC, political-victory in American history other than when President George Washington chose to be President instead of King.
The naysayers should be honest with themselves and recognize he's the right man for the right reason at the right time to Make America Great Again.
AND, President Trump over the course of the last 18-months between his announcement of his candidacy and his 1st day in Office, has done more to impact both American and Global politics for the betterment of AMERICANS than any other person in the world.
President Trump started with $1,000,000 and turned it into $10,000,000,000. (If you want, use the oft-reported gross-underestimate, 'only' $4,000,000,000.) Along the way he was in debt negative-billions, before crawling out to become one of the most successful & richest men in world history.
He's officially been in office as President of the United States exactly ONE DAY.
And on his 1st day in office, he's already taken bold action to direct America back onto a course that equates to greater safety, employment, wealth and respect FOR AMERICANS.
To get to the WH, he overcame the greatest combined opposition to any single Presidential-Candidate in our nations 240-year history, and is the first to be elected President without ever having held elective office before. It's the most extraordinary, TECTONIC, political-victory in American history other than when President George Washington chose to be President instead of King.
The naysayers should be honest with themselves and recognize he's the right man for the right reason at the right time to Make America Great Again.
AND, President Trump over the course of the last 18-months between his announcement of his candidacy and his 1st day in Office, has done more to impact both American and Global politics for the betterment of AMERICANS than any other person in the world.
10
The truth is that Hillary was a Democrat running on Republican ideas and Trump was a Republican running on Democrat ideas. Hillary wined and dined with Wall Street bankers, took their money, catered to money from oil sheiks from Saudi Arabia, and advocated global trade deals that took jobs out of America so corporations could benefit from lower wages in China and Southeast Asia. She was a war hawk itching to bomb and attack Russian troops and warplanes over Syria. Trump not only pushed back on these neocon ideas but advocated a complete reversal in these policies.
13
Democratic ideas include massive tax cuts and deregulation for corporations?
By the way, referring to Democratic ideas as Democrat ideas makes me think you are not actually a Democrat.
By the way, referring to Democratic ideas as Democrat ideas makes me think you are not actually a Democrat.
3
I commend President Trump for his sincere attempt in making America great again. May God bless you Mr. President!
10
Did Mr. Trump read the TPP agreement? I am sure it was slightly more than 140 characters- so I know my answer- NO.
8
Opposed by Clinton. Opposed by Sanders. Opposed now by Trump who actually can do something about it, and does. And yet, there's whining here in the comments section. I think if President Trump signed an international agreement banning all nuclear weapons, New York Times readers would be bemoaning the loss of jobs to the missile-silo diggers.
15
This may be true of some people of course, but I think more of us think that he should read documents and discuss with experts before deciding.
The trouble is that his base doesn't understand the benefits of actually studying the facts, so he has to put on a show like this.
The trouble is that his base doesn't understand the benefits of actually studying the facts, so he has to put on a show like this.
To those sighting the fact that HRC and Sen. Sanders were against TPP, you are missing a crucial point––with leadership comes accountability.
Neither HRC or Sen. Sanders wield the power to do this, only Donald J. Trump does and it is HE who 'has' done this, thus only Donald J. Trump is accountable for this action.
Additionally, just like foreign aid is more than just 'aid' (it's influence), foreign trade is more than just 'trade'.
+108,000 U.S. servicemen died fighting for victory in the Pacific theater and, as a result, the United States has benefited from the boon of trade and military hegemony on the Pacific Rim for over 70 years . . . until Donald Trump arrived to sign it all away.
Neither HRC or Sen. Sanders wield the power to do this, only Donald J. Trump does and it is HE who 'has' done this, thus only Donald J. Trump is accountable for this action.
Additionally, just like foreign aid is more than just 'aid' (it's influence), foreign trade is more than just 'trade'.
+108,000 U.S. servicemen died fighting for victory in the Pacific theater and, as a result, the United States has benefited from the boon of trade and military hegemony on the Pacific Rim for over 70 years . . . until Donald Trump arrived to sign it all away.
3
The photo says it all: white guys back in charge!
Trump is killing more jobs than he is "creating." But here he kills jobs in Washington State (blue) et al in the hopes of getting something set up in Michigan (he hopes red), even if it pays less. China will take over as world trade leader. Duh. Our dollar will fall. He lives in the past. It would have been nice to have had someone like him on the sidelines when Reagan was doing all those free trade deals in the beginning, but now we've moved way beyond that.
Trump is killing more jobs than he is "creating." But here he kills jobs in Washington State (blue) et al in the hopes of getting something set up in Michigan (he hopes red), even if it pays less. China will take over as world trade leader. Duh. Our dollar will fall. He lives in the past. It would have been nice to have had someone like him on the sidelines when Reagan was doing all those free trade deals in the beginning, but now we've moved way beyond that.
7
No, the dollar has gotten significantly stronger since Trump was elected because currency traders expect the trade deficit to go down. Google "DXY chart" for a graph of Dollar Index Futures to see this.
Trump's policy of reducing China's bilateral trade surplus with the US is most definitely a strong dollar policy. If a country runs a trade deficit, it must issue additional currency to pay for foreign goods. Dumping more currency in the markets, weakens one's own currency. Basic supply and demand.
Furthermore, if Trump could (?) bring more manufacturing back to the US that would, in fact, slow the rise of China relative to the US. Since China exports $20-30 billion more to the US than we sell to China, China will be the big overall loser in a trade war with the United States, even if some companies would of course lose out.
Finally, TPP has absolutely nothing to do with China's rise. China is rising because America handed over to China its best technology, and because America finances China's rise by allowing China to run a trade surplus against the US. China has also used the money we have given them to buy up key natural resources in Africa and buy influence in our South American backyard. TPP is irrelevant to all this.
Note well: we kept the Soviets out of Latin America (ex Cuba) and kept our technology away from them. Those are big reasons why the US won the Cold War. By doing the opposite, we are losing to China now.
Trump's policy of reducing China's bilateral trade surplus with the US is most definitely a strong dollar policy. If a country runs a trade deficit, it must issue additional currency to pay for foreign goods. Dumping more currency in the markets, weakens one's own currency. Basic supply and demand.
Furthermore, if Trump could (?) bring more manufacturing back to the US that would, in fact, slow the rise of China relative to the US. Since China exports $20-30 billion more to the US than we sell to China, China will be the big overall loser in a trade war with the United States, even if some companies would of course lose out.
Finally, TPP has absolutely nothing to do with China's rise. China is rising because America handed over to China its best technology, and because America finances China's rise by allowing China to run a trade surplus against the US. China has also used the money we have given them to buy up key natural resources in Africa and buy influence in our South American backyard. TPP is irrelevant to all this.
Note well: we kept the Soviets out of Latin America (ex Cuba) and kept our technology away from them. Those are big reasons why the US won the Cold War. By doing the opposite, we are losing to China now.
4
That $20-30 billion figure for the US-Chins trade deficit, is a MONTHLY figure... it works out to $200 billion plus per YEAR. Amazing amount of wealth US transfers to China so that we can jack up corporate profits, kill our own unions, get around our own environmental regulations, and buy suspect products more cheaply at Wal-mart.
No fan of Donald Trump, but I think this is fine. TPP would have been bad for American workers.
13
Now starts the slippery slope down to creating America a 2nd class nation-just like a Trump a 2nd class President
9
There is no need to have a Phd from Harvard to see that even though free trade agreements are good for the U.S geopolitically, they are bad for U.S workers.
U.S corporations took advantage of these free agreements to make $trillion in profits that they mostly kept abroad. Trump withdrawing from the TPP is a big lost for the corporate elite and their paid politicians.
US Corporations alone have made $trillion in profit thanks to free trade, yet they don't want to repatriate and pay taxes on these profits. Taxes money that could have been used to help people in places devastated by offshoring. The same people who voted for Trump.
U.S corporations took advantage of these free agreements to make $trillion in profits that they mostly kept abroad. Trump withdrawing from the TPP is a big lost for the corporate elite and their paid politicians.
US Corporations alone have made $trillion in profit thanks to free trade, yet they don't want to repatriate and pay taxes on these profits. Taxes money that could have been used to help people in places devastated by offshoring. The same people who voted for Trump.
11
Trump has stated that NAFTA is the worst trade deal in history. But has he ever mentioned a trade deal that he thinks was better? (Hint: he is not aware any trade deals except NAFTA or TPP).
5
Can you imagine Obama doing this much in one day? He would need a three week vacation and. 15 rounds of golf to recover. I don't even think Obama did this much in eight years. Thank you President Trump for honoring your word and honoring the American worker!
11
Great news!! Time to talk care of America first.
10
Yeah, all those farmers in Iowa are real grateful that they will not be able to sell pork or corn to Japan.
6
Or China....
1
Donald, President Xi Jinping is smiling now. TPP was a 12 nation trade pact, covering both North and South America, as well as all of Australasia. A region comprised of educated, industrial nations, and the fasted-growing region of the world. But China was excluded from it. So now, you are basically enabling China to take-on the Leadership Role.
Does anyone on your team even have a clue as to what you have done?
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Does anyone on your team even have a clue as to what you have done?
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
6
Minutes later he killed a number of good paying middle class government jobs. Government is not the enemy and at least the majority, about 3 million more of us, don't want to live in anarchy. The net impact of those two actions combined will be a loss of jobs in the United States.
Why is it Republicans view law enforcement and military as public servants to be glorified, but everybody else who has a job from government is viewed as a thief. Until now, government jobs and payrolls are public information (not sure public info will exist anymore), but private jobs paid for by government contracts have an extensive history of corruption and fraud.
Yes government shouldn't be wasteful and held accountable, but it provides us the opportunity to live in, without question, one of the great countries of the world. Let's hope it stays that way.
Why is it Republicans view law enforcement and military as public servants to be glorified, but everybody else who has a job from government is viewed as a thief. Until now, government jobs and payrolls are public information (not sure public info will exist anymore), but private jobs paid for by government contracts have an extensive history of corruption and fraud.
Yes government shouldn't be wasteful and held accountable, but it provides us the opportunity to live in, without question, one of the great countries of the world. Let's hope it stays that way.
6
weird, you had no problem lumping everyone who worked at a bank as a thief or fraudster for the past 8 years. you had no problem when government killed a number of good paying jobs in the financial industry or energy with over regulation
5
Either you're a government worker or just ignorant of the facts. As someone who deals with federal agencies on a routine basis, I can tell you unequivocally that you can run the government with probably a 50% cut in manpower. The government workers I know (who I actually like) openly admit that they have it made. The lucrative pensions, generous pay scales with yearly guaranteed bumps, and low rate of accountability of production are the norm. Trump is on the right path.
4
Certainly bad for business. I'm sure that quite a few Republican politicians are severely worried about this -- but if just one of them would have had the guts to admit that the Clinton email server "scandal" was a witch hunt, we wouldn't be in this position.
Well, great opportunity for China and the EU to fill the power vacuum - while Americans spend the next four years giving each other tax breaks, burning coal, tweeting, and debating audience estimates.
Well, great opportunity for China and the EU to fill the power vacuum - while Americans spend the next four years giving each other tax breaks, burning coal, tweeting, and debating audience estimates.
9
This treaty was negotiated in extreme secrecy by large corporations, for large corporations, and to be enforced by large corporations, delivering a major blow to the sovereignty of our laws on the environment, food safety, and many other areas.
At one point I really feared Obama would succeeded in ramming it through Congress without debate. We dodged a disaster with Trump's rejection of it.
Now let's hope a fair trade treaty can be negotiated to replace it.
At one point I really feared Obama would succeeded in ramming it through Congress without debate. We dodged a disaster with Trump's rejection of it.
Now let's hope a fair trade treaty can be negotiated to replace it.
11
With this incompetent administration?
1
There are 21.8 million veterans of the U.S. armed forces as of 2014, according the Census Bureau, approximately 10 percent of whom are women. How many veterans stood-up and fought for this country. Hillary got 3 million more votes than Trump. Trump has chosen the worst possible people for his cabinet. Did the veterans of this country fight for our country our women to be treated like they are?
6
Look at that grim photo. What a bunch of sour old white men in suits. It just reeks of dread, whatever the outcome. We shall see.
10
Why is racism being seen in every issue when it isn't? I can even say, there is gender bias as there is no woman in the picture. While we are at it, there is also a bias against dress code too as everyone are in suits and well-dressed. See in a silly way I can create a spin of bias in everything where there is none. Diversity does not mean we need to have a representation of every section of population in every picture.
6
Why is racism seen in every issue?? --
Because this is AMERICA......And Trump's all-White male cabinet looks nothing like it -- or, maybe you just didn't notice it because they all look like you.
Another thing.
The President of the United States is supposed to represent ALL Americans, remember?
This would've been a good place to start.
Because this is AMERICA......And Trump's all-White male cabinet looks nothing like it -- or, maybe you just didn't notice it because they all look like you.
Another thing.
The President of the United States is supposed to represent ALL Americans, remember?
This would've been a good place to start.
1
"What a bunch of sour old white men in suits."
If that's not racism, I don't know what is. Of course, this type of racism is fine for the NY Times and other REGRESSIVE leftists like yourself.
Despicable.
If that's not racism, I don't know what is. Of course, this type of racism is fine for the NY Times and other REGRESSIVE leftists like yourself.
Despicable.
1
Mr Trump is very smart and has many property developments to prove it. So that the rest of us can really understand, it would be good if he opened up the records of one of his construction projects and showed us how ‘American first’ works. As a kind of case-study. Maybe one of his US hotels. We could see how he insisted that the steel, construction materials, flooring, room furniture, bedding and branded items – right down to the bathroom fittings, kitchen appliances, were sourced from American companies and made by American workers at legal rates. Or at least the percentage. It would give us a sense of confidence that here is someone who is really genuine and that taking care of America and Americans has always been his primary motivator – not personal wealth.
13
The TPP was in place to counter the influence of China in the APAC region.
I don't understand how this helps the U.S. worker in any way
I don't understand how this helps the U.S. worker in any way
14
It doesn't and they will soon find that out.
5
Don't you remember Trump saying during the campaign: "I love the poorly educated" ??? --- Now you know why.
1
This pretty much spells the end of the American Empire. At this point, all the US can offer Asian states, over the long-term, is highly questionable and (under Trump) deeply destabilizing military support - and it's certainly not clear that Trump can manage that, either.
The issue with globalization, that many on the left and right refuse to get, is that it actually works. Kristof was writing yesterday about the vast decrease in global poverty over the past 20 years. That happened because of globalization. Yes, globalization has problems, but they can be managed - you don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. In the US, globalization has certainly had negative effects, but that had far more to do with the US' refusal to properly manage it. To deal effectively with economic change, states need to implement better social safety nets and educational policies. But, entirely because of rigid ideological reasons, the US refuses to do this. So, it becomes easier to blame the rest of the world for American problems (as usual) than confronting the deep and abiding flaws in the US system.
The issue with globalization, that many on the left and right refuse to get, is that it actually works. Kristof was writing yesterday about the vast decrease in global poverty over the past 20 years. That happened because of globalization. Yes, globalization has problems, but they can be managed - you don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. In the US, globalization has certainly had negative effects, but that had far more to do with the US' refusal to properly manage it. To deal effectively with economic change, states need to implement better social safety nets and educational policies. But, entirely because of rigid ideological reasons, the US refuses to do this. So, it becomes easier to blame the rest of the world for American problems (as usual) than confronting the deep and abiding flaws in the US system.
13
It depends what you mean by "globalization ". I'm in favor of removing trade barriers but that's only one part of the TPP. It's the other stuff, such as giving foreign corporations the right to sue governments, that have absolutely no place in a so-called "trade agreement".
7
Great comment Shaun. Could not agree more.
2
Mark, I agree with you. But that would be one of those problems associated with globalization (along with environmental concerns and issues around intellectual property) that we can work out and improve, given time. The basic idea of opening markets and trading freely between states has been beneficial. It needs much more work, but that doesn't mean abandoning it.
4
He didn't even know what Brexit was. I doubt if he took the time to really understand TPP and how it really works and benefits the US. He just spouted some rhetoric to keep his supporters frenzy going and is now following thru to get his ratings up.
This is really getting scary and it's day three. One big difference between a business and a democracynis that He doesnt get to make all the decisions by himself. He is not king. All this talk of accepting the results of the election and moving on is unacceptable. Its all a fraud and we should be rising up in rebellion against this government before it is too late.
This is really getting scary and it's day three. One big difference between a business and a democracynis that He doesnt get to make all the decisions by himself. He is not king. All this talk of accepting the results of the election and moving on is unacceptable. Its all a fraud and we should be rising up in rebellion against this government before it is too late.
7
Clinton ultimately backed off her support of TPP. This was going to happen regardless of who won the election.
12
We know Trump is no monument to justice. There was just was an election and jobs and the eroding middle class was the message. I am a democrat, but I am tired of the the way working people in the US are treated. We jump in our Toyotas and could care less about workers in Michigan. Maximize profits so the 1% gets richer. Worship at the altar of Wall Street. Trump for all of his faults(there are many) is at least talking about American jobs.
14
If the working people want a job, they can train for one that is relevant, like everyone else has to.
Americans are addicted to cheap goods and if you think everyone is going to be excited to go to the store when the price of everything jumps, you've got a big surprise coming.
As far as worshipping at the altar of Wall Street, brace yourself because you clearly haven't been paying attention to who is now in Trump's cabinet.
Americans are addicted to cheap goods and if you think everyone is going to be excited to go to the store when the price of everything jumps, you've got a big surprise coming.
As far as worshipping at the altar of Wall Street, brace yourself because you clearly haven't been paying attention to who is now in Trump's cabinet.
6
Many Toyotas are made in the United States.
2
I have absolutely no faith in Trump's ability to even remotely understand the effects of his actions and severely doubt he'd ever listen to counsel.
The very worse attributes for the leader of the free world.
The very worse attributes for the leader of the free world.
13
I assume you meant to say 'worst' attributes. In any case, you're making assumptions based on your recent experience with our latest leader of the free world. What a joke.
3
No. The joke is going to be on the people who voted for him.
Just wait...this is only the beginning.
Just wait...this is only the beginning.
"...the ambitious, 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership..."
You mean the anti-American TPP deal that would have cost countless Americans their jobs in favor of imported, cheap, foreign laborers.
Thank God for Trump; he's already Making America Great Again.
You mean the anti-American TPP deal that would have cost countless Americans their jobs in favor of imported, cheap, foreign laborers.
Thank God for Trump; he's already Making America Great Again.
10
If the issue of trade was really that simple, that black and white,don't you think someone else would have thought of it? Trump relies on simplistic notions and explanations,but many of us recognize the world is a bit more complex.
6
If it was really good, why did Bernie, Clinton and Trump oppose it? Did we have any choice when three major candidates were against it? This deal was set to go even before the election result. No surprise there.
5
This depends on your point of view. If You can keep people off your back long enough to rebuild then you are OK. It's like tossing bait in an lake full of snapping fish. If the fish focus on the bait. ( China focus on all other countries in the same are we would be competing agains. ) then that keeps them off our back. ( i.e. no more dumping trashing goods on our shores. including cheap steel that is driving the steel industry into the ground. ) then build your industries and when tariffs are imposed on our goods negotiate specifically for those goods tit for tat. ie. ( they can't do without Boeing as for example )
1
People in the rust belt states who got him into the WH are probably cheering his actions. Yet these are the same people who have no idea how globalization works and why they are out of the lucrative jobs that their grandpas used to have. These uneducated voters whom Trump "loves", are the ones who will be affected the most when Trump's policies create the next recession; he has no idea what he is doing. The only reason he is in the WH is because the average rust belt Joe, who has no college education, and no jobs skills, thinks he is entitled to a high-paying job because that's always been the case. When Trump says he wants to take America back to greatness, he means he wants to take it back to the 1950's when white men needed a plan to fail (read Thomas Friedman). That's no longer true, they need a plan to succeed! The real solution to this problem is to make higher education more affordable and accessible to the people who don't have it, and to bring in policies to ensure re-training people for other jobs who are displaced by changing times.
10
You can't tell them anything. As with all ignorant people, they have to live through it in order to get it.
This note is a bit condescending and borders on elitist attitude which we saw during the elections and the analysis after that. Many people called this very attitude of the educated made the uneducated vote for Trump just to prove a point that the so-called intelligentsia which always is self-serving and makes policies favoring only themselves but keeps saying those who are not part of this club as undeserving. Average Joe is not that "stupid" as you seem to say. He/She is not yearning for 100K job with his/her skills. All they are looking for is some job that makes their family run. May be Trump is not the best answer, but given the choice between Clinton and Trump, they had no other option as they didn't want to continue the same "get votes from people, but cater to Wall street" politicians (Clinton's famous, public-private policy demarcation).
7
In lock step with Hillary and Bernie in opposing TTP.
12
Free trade between developed nations is beneficial to both. But as a society, we must make a decision: How many jobs are we willing to transfer to a developing country? More importantly: Supporting developing countries is essential but at what rate can we transfer jobs from the USA and completely support (retrain, refocus, redirect) Americans who loose their job as a result?
5
First, it's "lose". Second, you're forgetting that most Americans have the things they do because of the cheap goods. No one will be able to spend the way they have and the price of everything will go up dramatically. For a country such as ours that relies on consumer spending, that will not be good. Count on it.
1
It is interesting to note that the analysts and pundits have advice for Trump like the advice you would give to a misbehaving kid in middle school. What kind of country are we that we have to give advice to our President on how he should act in public. As well, it is clear Trump never read the TPP. He made a campaign promise to get rid of it and he did it. And he calls this leadership.
7
sounds like Pelosi with Obamacare
4
It is somewhat of a misnomer to call these deals bipartisan. Democratic Presidents and Republican Congress'supported get these deals done, but they are deeply unpopular amongst Democrats as a whole.
A more honest assessment is that Trump defied his Republican Party by scrapping this deal, and it most likely won't be that last time.
A more honest assessment is that Trump defied his Republican Party by scrapping this deal, and it most likely won't be that last time.
12
Even Democrats reject the TPP. Not a single trade deal in the last forty years has been good for the American worker, only corporate America benefited from those deals.
15
That isn't true. Americans have been benefitting from rock bottom prices on everything for a very long time. Prices are cheaper here than anywhere. Americans aren't going to like what they see on price tags and they'll stop buying; and we all know what that will do to the economy.
2
2 days in and Obama's "legacy" is just about gone. 8 years yielded pretty meager results.
10
Nonsense, sorry. Our economy still, for now, is far better than Bush left it, thanks to policies of Obama. We are still, for now, drawing down troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. We are still, for now, not involved in Syria, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, or any other warzone. We still have the ACA. We still had a non-white President. Most of Obama's legacy is still intact, though of course Trump will attempt to destroy everything he aided us with, and trash America.
9
Thanks to an obstructionist Republican Congress.
1
Of course, you're right. Of course, you also fail to acknowledge that today was the first full working day of the new administration. Check back at the end of this week and see how much of your former leaders legacy remains.
3
Follow the money.
Abandoning the TPP has its pros and cons. Jobs creation requires the destruction and reconstruction of whole sectors of the economy. Certainly there are plenty of losers in that equation. Real lives.
However, the main objective of the TPP was to create standards that are raised in many of these far off places, so basically that, there is not ongoing slave labor. It also creates tighter bonds to our markets and not those of Russia, or in particular China.
Now, having quashed a perfectly good deal, you need only ask yourself; who benefits from this ?
Indeed. Follow the money. It leads right back to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Abandoning the TPP has its pros and cons. Jobs creation requires the destruction and reconstruction of whole sectors of the economy. Certainly there are plenty of losers in that equation. Real lives.
However, the main objective of the TPP was to create standards that are raised in many of these far off places, so basically that, there is not ongoing slave labor. It also creates tighter bonds to our markets and not those of Russia, or in particular China.
Now, having quashed a perfectly good deal, you need only ask yourself; who benefits from this ?
Indeed. Follow the money. It leads right back to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
11
The irony of a Republican president killing a free trade bill hurts more than a misogynist underlying abortion counseling. Catering to populist protectionism is what one normally might associate with last-century Democratic politicians. Trump is turning things upside down - change, but for the worse.
5
He's not a Republican. Even conservatives hate Republicans, which is why none of the establishment Republicans got the nomination.
Trump ran on the R ticket, but don't let that confuse you.
Trump ran on the R ticket, but don't let that confuse you.
3
It won't help the Trump followers. Look, there is a painful truth to face: People who don't get educated or get trained for a skilled labor vocation, remain in the same small towns they grew up in, and refuse to adapt to the demands of our new economy, are not going to do well. Their small town jobs are not coming back. No business is suddenly going to need them. Rather than waiting for a superhero to come rescue them, they need to take responsibility for their own lives and 1) get educated or train for skilled labor jobs; 2) move to where the jobs are. If they refuse to do that, which is what the rest of us did to find success, they need to get accustomed to their lack of upward mobility.
18
Oh Tintin, my Liberal Scrooge, I heartily agree. After all, are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses? If they would rather die,’ said Scrooge, ‘they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” Ha-your stern advice...I wonder dear sir, would you feel comfortable giving that same stern advice to poor urban minorities who lack prospects? Should they "move to where the jobs are," or "get educated?" Some cannot; and some would rather die.
As a proud conservative, I take note of your hypocrisy. Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?
As a proud conservative, I take note of your hypocrisy. Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?
5
Are you sure you want to give that advice?
1. I was shocked to learn that, as of 2012, almost 30% of McDonald's employees had been to college. When there is already that large of a surplus, you want to send even more to college, thereby decreasing wages and increasing unemployment for the middle class?
2. Believe it or not, a lot of people are not willing to deal with the smog, eternal gridlock, crime, lack of living space, etc. that moving to a large city entails. Also, even though you might make more money, by the time you adjust for the massive increase in the cost of living, you're probably worse off than you were in the small town you came from. When you account for cost of living, southern California's 23% poverty rate is the highest in the nation, and NYC is in the top 10.
1. I was shocked to learn that, as of 2012, almost 30% of McDonald's employees had been to college. When there is already that large of a surplus, you want to send even more to college, thereby decreasing wages and increasing unemployment for the middle class?
2. Believe it or not, a lot of people are not willing to deal with the smog, eternal gridlock, crime, lack of living space, etc. that moving to a large city entails. Also, even though you might make more money, by the time you adjust for the massive increase in the cost of living, you're probably worse off than you were in the small town you came from. When you account for cost of living, southern California's 23% poverty rate is the highest in the nation, and NYC is in the top 10.
3
Indeed I would give that same advice to those in the cities, minority or otherwise: There are a rather predictable set of prerequisites necessary for most people to gain upward mobility: Pursue them if at all possible. Take out student loans if you must, move out of neighborhoods that discourage education, and don't have children when you are young and financially vulnerable. Nobody is going to "gift" you a future. Make the necessary sacrifices now to improve your quality of life later. Ironically, though, many Trump followers have been claiming it is the urban poor who drain our resources. In fact, the rural white unemployed and under-employed are just as responsible for not having the necessary initiative to improve their lives. And, no, there wil be no workhouses coming to Hicksville. You need to get up off the porch and move.
2
There is nothing wrong with TPP and NAFTA just needs some tweaks. The problem with those rust belt jobs that diapeared is that we, as a country, should have invested in more high ech jobs and re-trained the workers for new jobs. Workers in those industrial regions would get better jobs. Those investments are the government job and require having national industrial and technological strategy. That is exactly what Germany does and they were able to not only maintain high percentage of domestic manufacturing, but also maintain technological edge. They are not fighting for low paying and dirty manufacturing jobs and let them go.
We do the opposite, cut taxes for the rich, cry that we have no money, and now want those dirty low paying jobs back on a cheap. Honestly, it ain't do us any good.
We do the opposite, cut taxes for the rich, cry that we have no money, and now want those dirty low paying jobs back on a cheap. Honestly, it ain't do us any good.
10
It's not a "blow to the Obama legacy."
It's a "blow to what's good for America."
It's a "blow to what's good for America."
7
So can we finally see what is in now?
4
In all of these trade deals, it should have been a requirement for industry to retrain and /or find work for all those that would lose their jobs due to off shore move. If that had been the case, we would not be having this discussion.
2
Lets hope that Bernie Sanders has enough integrity to give Trump due respect for pulling out of TPP.
10
I'm surprised Ivanka & Co. haven't figured out a way to monetize the dozens of pens he's used the past 3 days.
6
Why all the Trump bashing over this? Both Bernie and Hillary came out against TPP and since it couldn't be modified it was either send it to Congress or just kill it outright.
10
Good riddance. This monstrosity was written in secret by corporate lobbyists and not even Senators were allowed to look at it. In other words it most certainly was not in the interests of the American people.
11
Yes, and those corporate lobbyists are now in Trump's Cabinet. They're going to give with one hand to keep the peons happy and then take with the other.
2
Good for Trump. Bernie, like all good Dem progressives, was totally opposed tot his deal too. Only Hillary had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, by Bernie's challenge in the primaries to oppose this deal she had earlier called the "gold standard," since it was worth a lot of gold to her handlers at Goldman. So far, Trump is keeping the faith with his working-class base. Good for him.
12
You won't see any job from repealing TPP, period. In fact, you may see less jobs because of lower trade.
7
Will countries that back TPP also abandon the US dollar in favor of chinese currency now that we have chosen to stay out of it?
3
Lori Wallach of Public Citizen gets major credit for consistently pointing out the dangers of the TPP, and consistently opposing the Obama administration's pushing of this turkey of an agreement.
And Trump gets credit for dissing it first thing. Let's give credit where credit is due.
And Trump gets credit for dissing it first thing. Let's give credit where credit is due.
18
I admire her also.
I don't agree with Trump on many things and was shocked to see him elected, but Transpacific Partnership was a bad deal and I'm happy Trump repealed it. I'm an E.U. citizen living 10 years in Japan and I saw many protests against TPP here in Japan. The deal would overthrow national environmental regulations in favor of free trade. The food we eat and the stuff and services we use would come from ever more distant places and will be even less transparent than before. The stuff would be cheap, perhaps, but is low price the only thing we value? I prefer to know whether products I use cause environmental or other damage or not. This information is already obscure for most products and TPP would make it even worse. I was perplexed why Obama was pursuing it. He seemed like a conscientious person. As Hillary Clinton finally admitted, "it would benefit wealthy corporations at the expense of workers and the environment."
33
When economists on both left and right say, "uh, it's more complicated than 'trade = bad,'" I would listen to them over Donny, Hillary, or Saint Bernie.
9
Let us not forget that the trade agreements negotiated and supported by those wise economists have resulted in millions of lost AMERICAN JOBS!! And no economy can survive without a strong manufacturing sector.....I don't care how wonderful your beloved economists think it is, our service economy does nothing to add value to anything. It is nothing but funny money on paper....worthless!
6
@Tim
You are repeating the claim trade agreements result in millions of lost AMERICAN JOBS. (all caps?) Those economists that you seem to hate so much at least explain their positions. You just keep repeating this like a religious mantra.
Also, your remark on service economy is flat out wrong. there is no inherent value in a refrigerator over, say, a doctor's visit. The value is based solely on supply and demand. If there is no demand for refrigerators, or there is an over-abundant supply of cheap refrigerators, then churning out a bunch of refrigerators produces no value.
You are repeating the claim trade agreements result in millions of lost AMERICAN JOBS. (all caps?) Those economists that you seem to hate so much at least explain their positions. You just keep repeating this like a religious mantra.
Also, your remark on service economy is flat out wrong. there is no inherent value in a refrigerator over, say, a doctor's visit. The value is based solely on supply and demand. If there is no demand for refrigerators, or there is an over-abundant supply of cheap refrigerators, then churning out a bunch of refrigerators produces no value.
2
So Trump did something. It will be interesting to see how his radical ideas concerning world trade, employment and taxes work out over the long haul. However, if we assume that what has already been put in place was done so after careful consultation and negotiation, and has stood the test of time, what will happen if it is taken apart with apart is nothing more than a signature. I don't this bodes well for the future.
2
What if Trump proves right. Remember when the US became the largest spinner of silk fabrics in the early 1900's after putting Yuuuge tariffs on imports from other countries, which led to our once colossal textile industries that supported many when the coal industry crumbled?
5
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), who campaigned hard against the Trans-Pacific Partnership in last year’s Democratic presidential primaries, praised President Trump for an executive order to officially pull the United States out of the deal.
“I am glad the Trans-Pacific Partnership is dead and gone,” Sanders said. “For the last 30 years, we have had a series of trade deals — including the North American Free Trade Agreement, permanent normal trade relations with China and others — which have cost us millions of decent-paying jobs and caused a ‘race to the bottom’ which has lowered wages for American workers. Now is the time to develop a new trade policy that helps working families, not just multinational corporations. If President Trump is serious about a new policy to help American workers, then I would be delighted to work with him.”https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/23/sanders-prai...
“I am glad the Trans-Pacific Partnership is dead and gone,” Sanders said. “For the last 30 years, we have had a series of trade deals — including the North American Free Trade Agreement, permanent normal trade relations with China and others — which have cost us millions of decent-paying jobs and caused a ‘race to the bottom’ which has lowered wages for American workers. Now is the time to develop a new trade policy that helps working families, not just multinational corporations. If President Trump is serious about a new policy to help American workers, then I would be delighted to work with him.”https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/23/sanders-prai...
21
God only knows that I never envisioned myself in agreement with Bernie Sanders on ANY topic....but he is absolutely correct on the impact of the multi-national trade deals negotiated over the last 40 years....utter, total devestation the workers of the United States. And all for the benefit of Wall Street......
9
Weighted mean tariff rate for all products (2015, source: world bank)
USA 1.6 %
China 3.4 %
Mexico 5.2 %
India 6.3%
Russia 6.4 %
A no brainer .. Trump is right.
USA 1.6 %
China 3.4 %
Mexico 5.2 %
India 6.3%
Russia 6.4 %
A no brainer .. Trump is right.
18
First, Trump didn't know any of these percentages. Second, by making trade more profitable here, we cause it to grow more here. If you'd rather that Trump jacked up our tariff rate to 35%, it's pretty certain our economy would suffer tremendously from it.
1
...although I will grant you, Trump's decisions are always no-brainers.
2
@Dan Stackhouse
Yes, I'm not sure how he arrived at 35%, though I suspect it is intuitive.
Yes, I'm not sure how he arrived at 35%, though I suspect it is intuitive.
1
Can I hear a Hallelujah!!!
17
The President spoke of an economy weakened by the greed and irresponsibility of some, and of a “collective failure to make hard choices.” “Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered,” He said, “Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many”. He saw “a sapping of confidence across our land; a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.”
The President said, “We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together,”.
The President said, “We will build new roads and highways and bridges and airports and tunnels and railways all across our wonderful nation.” He rejected the counsel of those “who question the scale of our ambitions.” “All this we can do,” he said.
The President went on to say, “Do not allow anyone to tell you that it cannot be done. . . . We will not fail. ”
Sound familiar? Like most of us, do you agree with these statements, these goals?
Then pick out the sentences spoken by President Obama in 2009 and President Trump in 2017.
We are more alike than we are different......
The President said, “We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together,”.
The President said, “We will build new roads and highways and bridges and airports and tunnels and railways all across our wonderful nation.” He rejected the counsel of those “who question the scale of our ambitions.” “All this we can do,” he said.
The President went on to say, “Do not allow anyone to tell you that it cannot be done. . . . We will not fail. ”
Sound familiar? Like most of us, do you agree with these statements, these goals?
Then pick out the sentences spoken by President Obama in 2009 and President Trump in 2017.
We are more alike than we are different......
12
the difference is Obama mouthed empty words, Trump will take the actions needed
9
Trump bought much of the steel, aluminum and furniture for his hotels from China. Maybe the press might want to FOR ONCE ask him about that. And they MIGHT want to publish the facts. THEN they can show the american public just what a fraud and a liar he is, especially in the Rust Belt states that gave him the election. DO YOUR JOB, AMERICAN MEDIA.
4
Your comment makes no sense at all. As a builder trump should try to secure steel at the lowest costs. It allows him to offer condos at the lowest prices and increase the likelihood his company can sell those condos and profit. It's not immoral to buy from China.
As president, his responsibilities change. He must try to get the best deal for all Americans, which includes blue collar workers, business owners and consumers.
You cite hypocrisy when there is none. When Johnny Damon went from the red Sox to the Yankees, amazingly he was able to do it. A man can wear two uniforms in his lifetime.
As president, his responsibilities change. He must try to get the best deal for all Americans, which includes blue collar workers, business owners and consumers.
You cite hypocrisy when there is none. When Johnny Damon went from the red Sox to the Yankees, amazingly he was able to do it. A man can wear two uniforms in his lifetime.
5
Every dollar he spent on Chinese goods is a dollar that did NOT support american industry. Trump actively undermined american business. How do you fail to understand that obvious fact? He chose his business concerns over supporting american industry. That's who is is. Face it. It's a fact, (not an alternate fact). His business interests came first. American industry second. Does that "make sense"? If not, then you should ask other people whether my comment "makes sense". Maybe they can help you figure it out.
1
I suppose anything our President does will be put into the context of opposing Obama rather than in the efficacy of, in this instance, a lousy agreement that even Bernie opposed.
11
And maybe that region's countries will place their airliner orders from Airbus instead of Boeing, among other things.
3
Are we supposed to forget that Mrs. Clinton also campaigned against this Partnership? One that has never been ratified by the Senate.
12
Trump champions the American worker, where he believes that if you raise tariffs, reduce international trade and reduce choice, sectors of the American economy which fell prey to more innovative, better manufactured, and yes, more cost effective products would once again experience those halcyon days of the 1950s and 1960s, where post-war production and consumerism propelled the United States to the top of the international system.
Except, that won't happen now, will it? Firstly, you're restricting choice, or at the very least, placing a premium on choice. Secondly, overseas consumer goods will see at least a 20 percent increase in price due to raised tariffs, costs arising from increased customs controls, and more links in supply chains. Consumer sovereignty is being challenged by a businessman who can't accept that US manufacturing is a joke.
And then there comes the kicker. Who says that people will flock to buy American goods over European, or even South Asian goods? Will Samsung take a dive? Will Volkswagen? Will BMW, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin? In this Instagrammed world of ours, I'm sure European elegance and tech-savvy Asian products will be shunned in favour of good old 'Merican products. If the last fifty years have proven anything, it's that people will pay ridiculous prices for the latest and greatest. The US Government doesn't publish Vogue. And protectionism won't end global consumerism.
Except, that won't happen now, will it? Firstly, you're restricting choice, or at the very least, placing a premium on choice. Secondly, overseas consumer goods will see at least a 20 percent increase in price due to raised tariffs, costs arising from increased customs controls, and more links in supply chains. Consumer sovereignty is being challenged by a businessman who can't accept that US manufacturing is a joke.
And then there comes the kicker. Who says that people will flock to buy American goods over European, or even South Asian goods? Will Samsung take a dive? Will Volkswagen? Will BMW, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin? In this Instagrammed world of ours, I'm sure European elegance and tech-savvy Asian products will be shunned in favour of good old 'Merican products. If the last fifty years have proven anything, it's that people will pay ridiculous prices for the latest and greatest. The US Government doesn't publish Vogue. And protectionism won't end global consumerism.
3
You seem to purpously ignore the reason US manufacturing is non-existent.....GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, TAXES, and GOVERNMENT negotiated trade deals.
4
Trump never said a word about restricting trade with any of the developed, 1st world countries that produce BMW, VW, etc. The countries that cost us jobs are two types: third world countries like Mexico, Vietnam, etc. where workers earn pennies per hour, and countries that dump products on our market below their cost to produce, and use currency manipulation to create unfair trade advantages, with China being the biggest offender. China has some non-economic reasons for doing so, as well. Destroying our steel, auto, textile and other strategic industries is useful for their own ambitions, even if they have to dump products on our markets below cost for years to do so.
2
Protectionism hasn't worked for a long time, and the impacts of it for the United States will be considerable. Higher costs for goods and services (higher tariffs for imports and higher production costs domestically) will be felt nationally and it won't be offset by a reduction in taxes nor higher employment rates.
Now that Trump has scrapped the TPP, other nations will work with one another over the United States, as countries don't rely on American imports.
Costs of living will rise, American markets will be more vulnerable and susceptible to market downturns (markets are based on behavioural psychology), and international relations between the United States and its economic allies will be tested.
This is where realists get it particularly wrong. They have this irrational belief that the United States can survive on its own and that each state should look after their own affairs. That theory doesn't work in an era of globalisation, where the world is a melting pot of cultures intertwined within a global community.
Nothing about the Western World in the third millennium has even hinted towards patterns of protectionism and national self-interest. Since the formation of the United Nations, the general consensus has been that it is up to all of us to ensure that the world is peaceful and harmonious.
The culling of the United States' involvement in the Trans-Pacific Partnership is not in the best interests of any nation, least of all the United States.
Now that Trump has scrapped the TPP, other nations will work with one another over the United States, as countries don't rely on American imports.
Costs of living will rise, American markets will be more vulnerable and susceptible to market downturns (markets are based on behavioural psychology), and international relations between the United States and its economic allies will be tested.
This is where realists get it particularly wrong. They have this irrational belief that the United States can survive on its own and that each state should look after their own affairs. That theory doesn't work in an era of globalisation, where the world is a melting pot of cultures intertwined within a global community.
Nothing about the Western World in the third millennium has even hinted towards patterns of protectionism and national self-interest. Since the formation of the United Nations, the general consensus has been that it is up to all of us to ensure that the world is peaceful and harmonious.
The culling of the United States' involvement in the Trans-Pacific Partnership is not in the best interests of any nation, least of all the United States.
This just creates a vacuum that will be filled by China. It may even benefit this Putin-puppet. When will we find out?
A shout out to CIA operatives: Please keep checking this guy. It's important for the country!
A shout out to CIA operatives: Please keep checking this guy. It's important for the country!
4
Turn off CNN and get to work....Oh...sorry, unless you're on Wall Street or the banking sector, or big pharma, jobs are non existent.
4
Columbia University and Nobel Prize Winning Professor Joseph Stiglitz thinks the TPP was a bad deal, maybe he is right.
14
May I ask why my.President is wrong?
1
Both trade deals were great for big corporations, allowing them to ravage the little guy and completely ignore environmental concerns.
Trump is permanently securing life-long democrats by doing exactly what their own presidents promised, but did the opposite of. Once all the tears dry up, you'll see this guy has already done more for you than your own party has in most of your lifetimes. He's just no friend to the MSM and Hollywood, who you've allowed to control your brains for way too long.
Trump is permanently securing life-long democrats by doing exactly what their own presidents promised, but did the opposite of. Once all the tears dry up, you'll see this guy has already done more for you than your own party has in most of your lifetimes. He's just no friend to the MSM and Hollywood, who you've allowed to control your brains for way too long.
16
Are the various trade pacts we have going helping us or hurting us? Do we need another pact? I'm certainly not the sharpest knife in the drawer but there sure seems to be many comments here stating how foolish Trump is in dumping this pact. Despite Bernie and Hillary not being for it either.
My bet? We'll all survive. I'm ok with keeping industry here in the United States.
My bet? We'll all survive. I'm ok with keeping industry here in the United States.
8
Trade became a convenient scapegoat, public supported repealing it and politicians lined up to condemn the trade wholesale.
We all naw pay the price for this foolishness.
We all naw pay the price for this foolishness.
3
Good. I am not exactly sure why the political centre-left could never stop these job and environment-destroying deals. Maybe because the centre-left gave up years ago.
12
Yeah, well, ho-hum, another photo-op, which is all that exists for this president.
This deal was rejected, resoundingly, correctly, by a large majority of the American people (not to mention Congress) well over a year ago.
This deal, like most of the others we have signed in the past 1/4 century, would have resulted in a significant increase in our GDP but also a significant decrease in median income. It had nothing to do with trade between countries and everything to do with division of spoils between multinationals.
If this president wanted to do something about trade, he would have kept his promise to declare China a currency manipulator on his first day in office.
Dan Kravitz
This deal was rejected, resoundingly, correctly, by a large majority of the American people (not to mention Congress) well over a year ago.
This deal, like most of the others we have signed in the past 1/4 century, would have resulted in a significant increase in our GDP but also a significant decrease in median income. It had nothing to do with trade between countries and everything to do with division of spoils between multinationals.
If this president wanted to do something about trade, he would have kept his promise to declare China a currency manipulator on his first day in office.
Dan Kravitz
3
I think half of Obama's enthusiasm for TARP was his making nice with the Republicans who were always pro-trade, for obvious anti-labor reasons. It's always been a big weapon of corporations to threaten offshoring operations, (through trade deals) to de-leverage unions.
Obama never got anything out of the Republicans in return, and Democrats ended up disillusioned and aimless with no message for the American public. Trump got all the Republican cool-aid drinkers and key traditional Democratic voters to win the Presidency. Obama has a legacy of complete disempowerment for his party.
Obama never got anything out of the Republicans in return, and Democrats ended up disillusioned and aimless with no message for the American public. Trump got all the Republican cool-aid drinkers and key traditional Democratic voters to win the Presidency. Obama has a legacy of complete disempowerment for his party.
5
Great. Finally a President who understands complex business negotiations and doesn't take a salary, starts cutting waste like the ridiculous 4 billion for the new air force one, and won't spend 100 million of taxpayers money on lavish vacations to play golf while the middle class suffered.
16
Ah a Congress that has just passed a Budget to add $10 trillion to the deficit , that excludes any major infrastructure expenditure.
Not a peep from Mr Trump .
How about the cost of securing Trump Tower estimated at $300 million a year ,
relocating the Embassy in Israel to Jeurusalem .
How much will the Corporate tax cuts and personal tax cuts cost us ?
How about job losses at Macy's, Sears, American Apparel, GM, Ford, just a few I know of happening the next few months .These job losses far exceed the jobs saved at Carrier and others.
I want our country to succeed, I am prepared to withhold judgement on the new Administration but it is far too early to indulge in self congratulations
Not a peep from Mr Trump .
How about the cost of securing Trump Tower estimated at $300 million a year ,
relocating the Embassy in Israel to Jeurusalem .
How much will the Corporate tax cuts and personal tax cuts cost us ?
How about job losses at Macy's, Sears, American Apparel, GM, Ford, just a few I know of happening the next few months .These job losses far exceed the jobs saved at Carrier and others.
I want our country to succeed, I am prepared to withhold judgement on the new Administration but it is far too early to indulge in self congratulations
2
And the million dollars a day it cost to keep him secure in his Trump Tower fortress, that was a really great investment too, right? And will be when he spends every weekend here, correct?
1
trade deals typically take 5 to 7 years to negotiate.
This withdrawal means that going forward, nobody can rely on the US government commitments, since by the time things are ready to sign, the administration has potentially changed and does not honor prior commitments anymore. This kind of behavior is a disaster for the US diplomatic corps.
This withdrawal means that going forward, nobody can rely on the US government commitments, since by the time things are ready to sign, the administration has potentially changed and does not honor prior commitments anymore. This kind of behavior is a disaster for the US diplomatic corps.
3
This is terrible! Horrible! Our expansionist foreign policy of Bombing To Democracy in seven separate wars, our Bigger And Better Bombs For Peace foreign policy soon may be trashed.
Oh let us pray fervently that our Too Big To Fail Financial System economic policy is upheld.
Hope against diminishing hope that our domestic policy of You Can Never Be Too Safe Citizen is not weakened by the failure to incorporate the new DNA tracking register.
Oh. Oh. Oh.
Where is the roll out deployment of Mobile TSA checkpoints on the Interstate Highway and Federal Highways. the staffing of TSA check stations in every bus and train station?
Oh let us pray fervently that our Too Big To Fail Financial System economic policy is upheld.
Hope against diminishing hope that our domestic policy of You Can Never Be Too Safe Citizen is not weakened by the failure to incorporate the new DNA tracking register.
Oh. Oh. Oh.
Where is the roll out deployment of Mobile TSA checkpoints on the Interstate Highway and Federal Highways. the staffing of TSA check stations in every bus and train station?
1
Wow, air must be something in Minnesota
3
These original philosophy of free trade was an exchange of partners using U.S. skilled labor and our access to others cheap labor. They would buy our weaving machines and we would buy their sox's. Throw in robotic technology, corporate greed and restricting U.S. employment and environmental regulation, and guess what: Production moved off shore. No one imagined even with NAFTA the U.S. would lose so many manufacturing jobs to Mexico. We sent our tanning industry to counties that have little environmental law, labor law, and no welfare. What 2008 proved is no economy can exist as a majority service economy. Retail can't make up the difference of losing good manufacturing jobs. We need to bring as many as we can back to the U.S.
7
There is a bit of a myth in the repeated assertion that TPP was an offensive against China and its demise a win for China. China has more than double the US trade partners at this time and if you search China's Free Trade Agreements you will see more in process including most recently Norway that had held back over the treatment of its Chinese Nobel Peace Prize winner.
China is gaining on Canada as America’ major trading partner and that may change or may not under the current administration, but the hope is that America finds items to export to balance the trade account. In Asia China is providing infrastructure construction for raw materials and that is hard to resist.
China is gaining on Canada as America’ major trading partner and that may change or may not under the current administration, but the hope is that America finds items to export to balance the trade account. In Asia China is providing infrastructure construction for raw materials and that is hard to resist.
I'd really like to know how many of those having a fit about withdrawing from the TPP and claiming that this will somehow create a big win for the Chinese actually know anything at all about the deal itself.
I've asked numerous liberal friends of mine and I've yet to find someone who could actually tell me anything about the agreement, what it permitted, what it protected, or what specifically would be the big China win in its absence.
The simple fact is that politicians of all stripes have proven over and over again that their agreements are built to coddle to their own particular special interests. So what's the panic? Let's step back, see what we need to do on trade and go from there. If it takes better deals on a regional basis, fine. If it requires country by country deals, so be it.
I've asked numerous liberal friends of mine and I've yet to find someone who could actually tell me anything about the agreement, what it permitted, what it protected, or what specifically would be the big China win in its absence.
The simple fact is that politicians of all stripes have proven over and over again that their agreements are built to coddle to their own particular special interests. So what's the panic? Let's step back, see what we need to do on trade and go from there. If it takes better deals on a regional basis, fine. If it requires country by country deals, so be it.
9
Are your liberal friends economists or State Department trade policy experts? If not, why were you asking them about TPP? Why don't you read the many exhaustive articles economists on both left and right have written about why "TPP = evil" is a rather simple-minded, knee-jerk, and dangerous position.
3
Given that Hillary Clinton was also against the TPP, this is a non-event. It was going to happen regardless of who was elected.
7
I don't think Hillary would have scrapped the whole deal. Unlike Trump, she would have read it, and made modifications or side deals.
8
I would have thought liberals would be happy about this. After all, Hillary and Bernie were against it. Ok, Hillary was for it until Bernie was against it, but still, he is doing what the Democrats wanted. right? Why is it that when Bernie was against TPP, he was a hero, but when Trump is against it, he is a bad man?
15
Democrats in October: "Trump won't do any of these things he's promising! You're a bunch of rubes if you support him!"
Democrats in January: "Trump's doing exactly what he said! He's crazy! You people are a bunch of rubes for voting for him!"
So, basically, whatever Trump does, he'll be wrong and we'll be a bunch of rubes. Thanks. I can turn off my subscription for the next four years!
Democrats in January: "Trump's doing exactly what he said! He's crazy! You people are a bunch of rubes for voting for him!"
So, basically, whatever Trump does, he'll be wrong and we'll be a bunch of rubes. Thanks. I can turn off my subscription for the next four years!
22
China will eat our lunch.
4
TPP was dead a long time ago and Trump discovered the cadaver. His edict today on trade is just what unions wanted 30 years ago which was throttled by Reagan and Bush, Sr.
3
And Clinton and Obama to be fair.
1
Well, Hillary was against the TPP also (her public position, anyway) so it would have been scrapped regardless. Interestingly, Trump announced that he intended to make good on an Obama campaign promise from 2008: renegotiating NAFTA.
7
Funny that you note her public position. As WikiLeaks showed us, she also surely had a private position.
4
The title of this article is disingenuous.
I am certainly not a Trump fan nor did I vote for him. However, very few Democrats or supporters of former president Barack Obama would characterize the TPP as "part of Obama's legacy". It isn't.
Frankly, this is one of the very few DJT actions that will occur in his first 100 days that I fully support. Prior trade agreements have always been done with the attitude that we are doing it to promote democracy, increase our influence in the intended country or region, elevate the living standards of Third World populations so that they will view the U.S. favorably, and greatly benefit the U.S. corporations and their corporate elite financially.
DJT correctly identified that this orgy of foreign trade agreements has benefited everyone except the average American worker, and his/her status has been dragged down toward that of the Third Worlders that benefit from our trade. We have forgotten that in any trade agreement the U.S. is the 800-lb. gorilla in the room. WE have the large population, the consumers with discretionary wealth. WE are the most important market for foreign businesses, not China - which has a burgeoning middle class population that is more "saver" than "consumer".
We have not leveraged our wealth (compared to the countries we are dealing with) to craft trade agreements that give us something in return. Nothing wrong with asking:
"What's in it for us?"
I am certainly not a Trump fan nor did I vote for him. However, very few Democrats or supporters of former president Barack Obama would characterize the TPP as "part of Obama's legacy". It isn't.
Frankly, this is one of the very few DJT actions that will occur in his first 100 days that I fully support. Prior trade agreements have always been done with the attitude that we are doing it to promote democracy, increase our influence in the intended country or region, elevate the living standards of Third World populations so that they will view the U.S. favorably, and greatly benefit the U.S. corporations and their corporate elite financially.
DJT correctly identified that this orgy of foreign trade agreements has benefited everyone except the average American worker, and his/her status has been dragged down toward that of the Third Worlders that benefit from our trade. We have forgotten that in any trade agreement the U.S. is the 800-lb. gorilla in the room. WE have the large population, the consumers with discretionary wealth. WE are the most important market for foreign businesses, not China - which has a burgeoning middle class population that is more "saver" than "consumer".
We have not leveraged our wealth (compared to the countries we are dealing with) to craft trade agreements that give us something in return. Nothing wrong with asking:
"What's in it for us?"
9
It's not a blow to Obama's legacy, it's a blow to to the United States of America.
This isn't personal, its about all of us.
This isn't personal, its about all of us.
6
Buried in this deal was the ability for workers from any of the signatory countries to go work in any other countries who signed. Great for big corporations trying to undercut US labor rates and get around tax laws, lousy for US workers trying to get by on a paycheck. At some point, you have to decide what type of country you want and whether you want a middle class or not. As for the snide remarks on Trump products being made elsewhere; manufacturing has been shipped overseas for decades, how much choice did he or anyone else have? No one seems to be bothered by how many Apple products are not manufactured in the US, products that are being used to generate comments on this article.
5
Drop the dem/reps/trump horse race narrative please. Get someone with Econ experience to educate us on how "protectionism will lead to great citizen wealth".
This is a huge and complex bill. Bernie didn't like several factors, not all of it: extended intellectual property rights particularly around drug prices abroad, enabled corporate arbitration decision trump national laws, let corporation sue countries for lost profits- like when we blocked their pipeline. Bernie did like rules for environmental protection and worker protection but overall the bill was not a winner for him. Or me.
Big corporations are already global and don't really need a trade agreement to help them in the home country. I don't see why we can't strike deals with individual countries. It gives more control when it comes to sanctions.
This is a huge and complex bill. Bernie didn't like several factors, not all of it: extended intellectual property rights particularly around drug prices abroad, enabled corporate arbitration decision trump national laws, let corporation sue countries for lost profits- like when we blocked their pipeline. Bernie did like rules for environmental protection and worker protection but overall the bill was not a winner for him. Or me.
Big corporations are already global and don't really need a trade agreement to help them in the home country. I don't see why we can't strike deals with individual countries. It gives more control when it comes to sanctions.
4
TPP is good. Without scrapping TPP we would continue to lose money on trade. The argument that scrapping TPP will raise tariffs isn't so because we were in a much better position before Nafta and TPP. Case and point, the 80s. If you keep TPP, than we are homering money for what gain? Nothing. Its basic economics . Good for you and for America Mr. Trump. China can't trade what it does not produce, so no danger there. We will always have countries who will pay the tax to sell here.
1
Are these people now happy who vehemently speak out about China's doing well without TPP?
Or were these same vehement people happy about China not doing well with TPP?
Or are these same people speaking out of both sides of their worlds?
Or were these same vehement people happy about China not doing well with TPP?
Or are these same people speaking out of both sides of their worlds?
4
The biggest loser in TPP is Hollywood who wanted TPP protection for its movies - I guess that was rally what Meryl Streep was so upset about.
11
I needed that laugh! Thank you
5
I thought trade treaties were always rigged in favor of the US under its influence of security issues and the US is always in favor of its own global companies. Trump declares a departure from this practice. Which is not so bad, but what he means is probably ramming down more American exceptionalism in individual negotiations instead of international cooperation. Which is a recipe for causing more conflicts, like before WWII. What I hope the American president to do is reframing a new international order in favor of wage earners, i.e., people not like himself .
1
Australia has banned the import of bananas,supposedly for quarantine reasons.A few years ago a cyclone in the northern part of the country wiped out almost the entire harvest.That year we paid $15 for a kilo of bananas.Today,the price is back to normal,in average $4 per kilo.How Mr.Trump's idea of trade barriers will help his constituency,the forgotten men and women,remains to be seen.Let's hope,the 'left behind ones' are prepared to pay a lot more for American made goods.
2
But in your example...after the storm, the bananas which Australia protects with tariffs, returned to NORMAL PRICES.
1
That feeling you get when you come to understand that everything you did over the last 8 years was FOR NOTHING.
Welcome, my liberal friends, to a brave new world.
Welcome, my liberal friends, to a brave new world.
8
...the past 30 years.
1
In 2016, US GDP share of the global economy was 25%, China with 15% and EU/rest of the world 60%.
The US dollar, not the size of the economy, gives the US a dominant position in global financial markets. The greenback plays the role of a global currency on trade transactions and reserve of value.
President Trump's change in trade policy i.e., from NAFTA-type agreements to bilateral ones can impact negatively on the value of the dollar. If that happens, the US dominant position in the global economy could be eroded. China, of course, is the first candidate to take the slack.
President Obama gave a wise advice to newly elected Donald Trump. To think through complex topics before making a hasty decision. Trade is exhibit A.
The US dollar, not the size of the economy, gives the US a dominant position in global financial markets. The greenback plays the role of a global currency on trade transactions and reserve of value.
President Trump's change in trade policy i.e., from NAFTA-type agreements to bilateral ones can impact negatively on the value of the dollar. If that happens, the US dominant position in the global economy could be eroded. China, of course, is the first candidate to take the slack.
President Obama gave a wise advice to newly elected Donald Trump. To think through complex topics before making a hasty decision. Trade is exhibit A.
4
Trump's a man of action! Trump's getting in there and showing everyone who is boss!
The emotional appeal of this is obvious.: His seemingly outlier approach connects to the classic American story of rugged individualism.
The frightening part is that people are so lost in their excitement, they are totally shutting down critical thinking skills. They cannot see that Trump has no plan, no attention to detail, no logic, no depth, and that he is totally driven by his ego. Basically he has almost no awareness of his limitations.
In summary, his contrarian nature is not that of a driven leader, but of a petulant 2-year-old rebelling for the sheer pleasure of experiencing the toy of "no".
If only I could look forward to him growing older and wiser, but so far that possibility is looking rather remote.
The emotional appeal of this is obvious.: His seemingly outlier approach connects to the classic American story of rugged individualism.
The frightening part is that people are so lost in their excitement, they are totally shutting down critical thinking skills. They cannot see that Trump has no plan, no attention to detail, no logic, no depth, and that he is totally driven by his ego. Basically he has almost no awareness of his limitations.
In summary, his contrarian nature is not that of a driven leader, but of a petulant 2-year-old rebelling for the sheer pleasure of experiencing the toy of "no".
If only I could look forward to him growing older and wiser, but so far that possibility is looking rather remote.
2
Haef here says our critical thinking skills have shut down because we can't see that a self-made billionaire has no plan, no attention to detail, no depth, etc... haha
3
TPP represented Obama's strategy to keep that part of the world calm. It was an excellent strategy, but it was too easily attacked as a sign of arrogance in regard to blue collar workers and insensitivity as to what they are going through. Trump followed through on a campaign promise, it will have big effects, and, outside of voting, demonstrations, writing to our congressperson, we are witnesses to history.
Those poor soles that voted for Trump because TPP scare, will get minimum wage jobs, at the best.
2
This is the first big disagreement with Republicans. How will they respond?
2
Hardly a disagree, TPP doesn't benefit ordinary Americans. It may burden multi-millionaire republicans, but they do not represent true republicans.
1
Trump will be a one term President. Those who voted for him will become more angry and disillusioned as his promises to them are not kept, their standard of living declines, and US standing in the world falls
6
Trump will definitely be a two-term president.
He's already got my vote.
He's already got my vote.
4
Mike, it won't even be one term, because he'll be impeached. Corruption is inevitable, criminal charges will follow, pretty sure he'll be in office less than two years. But at least he's got your unthinking vote.
2
A deal that could not be shared with the people of this nation nor the eyes of the world. How was that for great deals!!! Just like health care laws, you have to pass them to see whats in them!
7
Bernie Sanders had attacked TPP on the campaign trail, and on Monday he praised Trump’s decision, saying TPP is “dead and gone”.
“Now is the time to develop a new trade policy that helps working families, not just multinational corporations,” Sanders said in a statement. “If President Trump is serious about a new policy to help American workers then I would be delighted to work with him.
“For the past 30 years, we have had a series of trade deals … which have cost us millions of decent-paying jobs and caused a ‘race to the bottom’ which has lowered wages for American workers”
Obama's great failings, doing the Hamlet thing with his finger in the wind.
“Now is the time to develop a new trade policy that helps working families, not just multinational corporations,” Sanders said in a statement. “If President Trump is serious about a new policy to help American workers then I would be delighted to work with him.
“For the past 30 years, we have had a series of trade deals … which have cost us millions of decent-paying jobs and caused a ‘race to the bottom’ which has lowered wages for American workers”
Obama's great failings, doing the Hamlet thing with his finger in the wind.
7
He should also hit companies who outsource office work ... a lot of people in the arts have been hit hard because of the policies of Clinton/Bush/Obama---the biggest corporate puppets we have ever had!
2
Bravo, Mr. President!
Dismantle the Obama presidency piece by piece, until there is nothing left of it.
Dismantle the Obama presidency piece by piece, until there is nothing left of it.
7
Yes. You look and sound like one of the members of his cabinet.
God help us.
God help us.
What I find troubling in this are the unknowns. Will China be the ultimate beneficiary of this decision? Are any of Trump's business interests financed by the People's Bank of China? Is there conflict of interest in this early Presidential decision? We need transparency. He should be compelled to release his tax records and divest himself from his business.
3
China can waltz in and pick up the pieces and we won't have a thing to say about slave wages, environmental harm and humanitarian actions in Asia. We will have to negotiate individual trade agreements with each of the countries we want to deal with. I wonder how much a T-shirt manufactured in the US will cost. I wonder how much an Iphone will cost.
2
According to the late Steve Jobs...he could have built the iPhone right here in the US, but it would have cost a whopping $40 more than in China.
I can live with that.
I can live with that.
1
The most ignorant President of the modern era.
4
This is not a blow to Obama, but one to American industry that should be competitive with the rest of the world, but now will face an uphill burden. He is clearly not only an illegitimate president but one who just does not understand economics.
3
What a horrifying spectacle. We're witnessing a veritable huge Trump train wreck in progress unfolding daily before our very eyes!
4
With the TPP’s demise, global trade leadership could by default fall into Beijing’s lap.
The TPP was created because, as outgoing President Barack Obama had said, “we can’t let countries like China write the rules of the global economy”.
As most countries who signed up for the TPP already had low tariffs, the real point of it was to promote service trade. Its primary focus was on harmonising rules and regulations among members. It also sought to limit state-ownership of firms and bring in tighter labour and environmental standards.
Much of this was about creating standards that would force China, when it decided to join TPP, to go down a certain economic path. The TPP would be an economic carrot that would persuade the Communist Party to make China’s economy more like rules-based, market-driven economies such as the US or India.
The TPP was created because, as outgoing President Barack Obama had said, “we can’t let countries like China write the rules of the global economy”.
As most countries who signed up for the TPP already had low tariffs, the real point of it was to promote service trade. Its primary focus was on harmonising rules and regulations among members. It also sought to limit state-ownership of firms and bring in tighter labour and environmental standards.
Much of this was about creating standards that would force China, when it decided to join TPP, to go down a certain economic path. The TPP would be an economic carrot that would persuade the Communist Party to make China’s economy more like rules-based, market-driven economies such as the US or India.
2
Will Trump just use this as a way to make profit for his own companies, like Chaney did with Iran and Iraq? We shall see.
2
What about the people always business breaks
A year ago Elizabeth Warren voiced her opposition to TPP.
Bernie Sanders early 2016 also voiced his opposition to TPP.
My question is what do Trump, Warren, Sanders, and others that oppose TPP propose to do??
What plan does anyone have that might be expected to increase real incomes in the United States??
Seems like Donald may get more opposition from Republicans than Democrats.
Trump administration brags about alternate facts, what alternate plan does Donald or Republicans or Democrats as well as others have??
Bernie Sanders early 2016 also voiced his opposition to TPP.
My question is what do Trump, Warren, Sanders, and others that oppose TPP propose to do??
What plan does anyone have that might be expected to increase real incomes in the United States??
Seems like Donald may get more opposition from Republicans than Democrats.
Trump administration brags about alternate facts, what alternate plan does Donald or Republicans or Democrats as well as others have??
2
I am no trump supporter, far from it. But we should give credit where credit is due. Both Bernie Sanders, and (eventually) Hillary Clinton were against this deal. Just like NAFTA, this deal was horrible for the average American worker. It was great for big corporations that wanted higher profits and lower wages. So in this instance, I think this is overall win. All the economists in favor of "free trade" should instead be in favor of fair trade. Only after China stops requiring 51% ownership to a local Chinese entity to enter their markets should we start talking about a balanced playing field.
12
IMPEACH - IMPEACH - IMPEACH......before trump does unrepairable damage.
5
Ha ha. I was unaware that Dems control the House. Who knew???
10
One of the few things taught in Economics 101 that is actually borne out in the real world (more often than not) is that trade makes the world a richer place. The problem has been that the gains from trade have been allowed to accrue to a tiny sliver of the population. The economic nationalism that we see in Trump's election, Brexit, etc is a result of distress and anger caused by the failure of leaders to use tax policy intelligently to redistribute the gains of trade (as well as the growth of automation).
Unfortunately it looks like the trade baby is about to go out with the bath water of unfair tax policy. Everyone will be worse off for it. What is needed is: 1) a one off wealth tax (on worldwide wealth of individuals, companies, trusts, etc) to capture and redistribute gains that have been undertaxed since at least 2000 (when NAFTA came into effect); and 2) a more redistributive tax system going forward.
Unfortunately it looks like the trade baby is about to go out with the bath water of unfair tax policy. Everyone will be worse off for it. What is needed is: 1) a one off wealth tax (on worldwide wealth of individuals, companies, trusts, etc) to capture and redistribute gains that have been undertaxed since at least 2000 (when NAFTA came into effect); and 2) a more redistributive tax system going forward.
6
Obama's legacy? What legacy? The legacy of the most insipid, ineffective, cowardly, divisive, criminal president in the history of our country. That legacy?
15
To look back at the last eight years of steadily increasing prosperity, and not getting involved in new wars, you'd have to be that blatantly partisan to say anything that disassociated from reality.
1
This will likely be good for middle America, only time will tell. The same old, same old is just not working people. It is time for a change... before America is blighted from coast to coast.
12
Obama's legacy will be fine. After the republicans finish dismantling democracy, civilization will be the legacy that will need some help.
3
Time for a Princess Bride reference.
"Donald, you keep ranting about trade agreements. I do not think it means what you think it means."
As a good pro-union Clevelander, I understand the havoc globalization has meant for American workers. But as a geopolitical realist, I also understand such agreements are how we promote the interests of the US, and make sure countries remain in our sphere of influence.
Trump just basically sent out invitation letters to China to work up trade -- and from that political -- agreements in the entire Pacific rim. And, I am sure Putin is more than happy to see us retreat our reach as well.
Inconceivable.
"Donald, you keep ranting about trade agreements. I do not think it means what you think it means."
As a good pro-union Clevelander, I understand the havoc globalization has meant for American workers. But as a geopolitical realist, I also understand such agreements are how we promote the interests of the US, and make sure countries remain in our sphere of influence.
Trump just basically sent out invitation letters to China to work up trade -- and from that political -- agreements in the entire Pacific rim. And, I am sure Putin is more than happy to see us retreat our reach as well.
Inconceivable.
8
I feel sorry for the next Grenada or Falkland Islands. Trump is gonna pick on some small place to flex.
3
For all you folks denigrating Trump on this one, you might want to recall that the Democrats in the House and Senate claimed to be against the TPP, as would most people when the handwriting is on the wall that jobs will move from our shores overseas.
17
Among some elite liberals, any backtracking from full-on globalization is seen as an existential threat. They're having trouble absorbing the fact that most of the country doesn't share that sentiment.
12
The TPP was really the CPPP - the Corporate Profit Protection Partnership. Corporations, in pursuit of profit, could challenge and possibly nullify health, safety, and environmental protection measures put in place by sovereign governments through the TPP's private, corporate-controlled court. Good riddance.
This, I guess, is the best we can hope for in a Trump administration: doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.
This, I guess, is the best we can hope for in a Trump administration: doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.
7
Time to Make America Great Again, and renegotiate all trade deals in American favor. For too long we had corrupt politician writing trade deals......"For the first time in 8 years, I feel proud being an American"...
12
I find it funny that despite the "outrage" at Trump blocking the trade agreement, both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders opposed to the deal as well. It really makes you wonder how this paper likes to frame what it writes about.
14
Actually that is not correct. Hillary was initially in favor of TPP. That was until Bernie started nipping at her heels. If you recall, Hillary once referred to TPP as the gold standard of trade deals.
4
About your "Legacy" head, I think we need to see how scuttling PPP works out. It may enhance the Legacy if there are negative effects on trade and foreign relations. One might make a similar observation concerning the Affordable Care Act. Trump's policies have no guarantees.
"lthough candidates have often criticized trade deals on the campaign trail, those who made it to the White House, including President Barack Obama, ended up extending their reach."
And why is that? Is it because voters know they have been hurt and are against it? And the change afterwards? The "donors" of course, those who benefit from the trade deals, and spend a minuscule amount of their loot to buy the politicians that make the next move to benefit them further.
This is now the 3rd election where the Americans have gone with the outsider in the hopes of breaking that hold of the oligarchs on American Government at all levels. The wealthy have used their wealth to disenfranchise the American voter, all the while they loot public and private assets further and further.
And why is that? Is it because voters know they have been hurt and are against it? And the change afterwards? The "donors" of course, those who benefit from the trade deals, and spend a minuscule amount of their loot to buy the politicians that make the next move to benefit them further.
This is now the 3rd election where the Americans have gone with the outsider in the hopes of breaking that hold of the oligarchs on American Government at all levels. The wealthy have used their wealth to disenfranchise the American voter, all the while they loot public and private assets further and further.
2
The TPP is opposed by unions and environmental and human rights groups, It is being defended by know nothing Democrats who oppose whatever Trump does. It is rumored that Trump is considering adopting the Democrat platform. Know nothing Democrats insist that he adopt the Republican platform instead.
7
Hey, fellow Americans, how does it feel to have elected a doctor ignoramus? The entire world thanks you so much. This will be an indelible stain on your nation.
5
The legitimate media needs to stop relating each and every action by Trump from the perspective of Obama's legacy, and instead focus on what his actions are and will do the the 320 million Americans. This is not a game, and it isn't some sort of popularity contest. Focus!
11
Whether we like it or not the world is now a global economy. Where does Walmart gets its stuff? Not from the USA. Why do people shop at Walmart? Stuff is cheap. Guess what? Stuff ain’t going to be so cheap once the trade barriers go up.
So we’ll just make that stuff here? Oh sure. China can make and sell us a teddy bear for about 70% less than the same teddy bear made in the U.S.A. It’s going to cost us dearly when push comes to shove. We will neither be able to sell our stuff nor buy anything. Want a tomato?—grow it yourself.
People in the U.S.A. have two choices: 1) accept that the global economy is real and join it by getting educated or 2) retreat into a luddite’s dream world of a past long gone. We can compete and prosper or we can wither away in anger and self pity.
Sanders may have not liked the TPP or NAFTA but he had one good idea: free and extremely high quality education for everyone. It does not matter what one studies—just become the absolute best at whatever it is. Isn’t that what American exceptionalism is all about?
So we’ll just make that stuff here? Oh sure. China can make and sell us a teddy bear for about 70% less than the same teddy bear made in the U.S.A. It’s going to cost us dearly when push comes to shove. We will neither be able to sell our stuff nor buy anything. Want a tomato?—grow it yourself.
People in the U.S.A. have two choices: 1) accept that the global economy is real and join it by getting educated or 2) retreat into a luddite’s dream world of a past long gone. We can compete and prosper or we can wither away in anger and self pity.
Sanders may have not liked the TPP or NAFTA but he had one good idea: free and extremely high quality education for everyone. It does not matter what one studies—just become the absolute best at whatever it is. Isn’t that what American exceptionalism is all about?
3
Unfortunately the man has a rather simplistic view of things. He is incapable of understanding and analyzing a situation or treaty and balancing out multiple variables in order to make an informed decision. We are in for a rough ride.
2
The TPP and its Inter-State Dispute Settlement chapter constituted a terrible trade deal. ISDS allows corporations to sue governments, but not the other way around. Remember when Philip Morris, the tobacco giant, sued the tiny country Uruguay for its public health efforts to put warning labels on tobacco packaging? And how Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg paid the country's legal fees b/c they were so expensive? That was because of ISDS.
Both Hillary Clinton and Trump came out in strong opposition to the TPP during their campaigns. Congress was opposed to the TPP. The TPP has many, many problems, but even if all its problems were resolved, if the ISDS provision remained, it would be a bad deal.
If Clinton had won, the headline would be virtually the same.
Both Hillary Clinton and Trump came out in strong opposition to the TPP during their campaigns. Congress was opposed to the TPP. The TPP has many, many problems, but even if all its problems were resolved, if the ISDS provision remained, it would be a bad deal.
If Clinton had won, the headline would be virtually the same.
1
*investor-state
If Hillary Clinton had won she would have changed her mind and called TPP "The Gold Standard" of trade deals. She's very flexible that way.
5
Instead of labeling the actions in headlines as a "Blow to Obama Legacy" how about renaming the headline to "Trump shoots [first] toe off America's Footing in Economy."
While trump initiates his isolationist policy, dear press, please be sure to enumerate the number of jobs lost, wage changes and which states are economically hurt the most.
It'll be difficult to have YUGE growth in an economy where everything is sourced, manufactured and bought all within US borders. I anticipate that the cost of goods sold will increase, the retail costs will increase and sales will decrease while the black market will see a boon for electronics, tools, appliances, household items and other items.
While trump initiates his isolationist policy, dear press, please be sure to enumerate the number of jobs lost, wage changes and which states are economically hurt the most.
It'll be difficult to have YUGE growth in an economy where everything is sourced, manufactured and bought all within US borders. I anticipate that the cost of goods sold will increase, the retail costs will increase and sales will decrease while the black market will see a boon for electronics, tools, appliances, household items and other items.
4
I don't like Trump, I voted against him, but I'm not going to say that he can't do some good things. And getting rid of the TPP is a good thing.
17
Please tell us more about Trump's freeze on hiring. Does this affect only his immediate staff All Federal employees? How long will it last? Is Trump finally going to make good the Republican dream of firing most of the government? How far is this freeze going to go. Does Trump literally think that only he can fix and run the government? Is this a reaction to government employees or just something temporary that new President's do?
the make up of agencies and departments is very much a reflection of the people working there and morale is very much a part of hiring and firing practices. This may be small but it like everything elxe Trump does is important to follow.
the make up of agencies and departments is very much a reflection of the people working there and morale is very much a part of hiring and firing practices. This may be small but it like everything elxe Trump does is important to follow.
Many have said Trump made many of the same points Bernie had been making in his Inaugural speech. On TPP, Trump again acted consistently with Bernie's position.
Trump defied republicans here, not democrats, and certainly not Sanders.
Trump defied republicans here, not democrats, and certainly not Sanders.
11
Stop feeding Trump's ego!!!!! What he is doing is like ISIS destroying artifacts of civilization! Obama legacy will only get stronger as Trump destroys everything that is good.
5
Trump is following up on his campaign promises because it's low hanging fruit for his administration while he tries to figure out how the world works and what the President's role happens to be. But just because people like to hear a campaign promise does not mean that it's the better choice, and Trump risks unexpected outcomes by simply following through on them on the first Monday in office before reviewing the consequences, completely. Given that Trump said a lot of things that his audiences liked about which he really had not much knowledge, it really seems risky to me.
2
Dangerous Donald bringing carnage to America. Watch the stock market tank tomorrow. Good luck to all the deplorables.
4
You will live to regret your insulting taunts, because, like it or not, President Trump will defy all of your close-minded progressive doomsday predictions and restore America to its former glory.
Progressive only know how to whine and whimper. Let's the adults govern now, you progressives need us to protect you and run the country.
No matter how long or loudly you whine, and no matter how insulting you progressives insist on being, president Trump will still protect you.
Progressive only know how to whine and whimper. Let's the adults govern now, you progressives need us to protect you and run the country.
No matter how long or loudly you whine, and no matter how insulting you progressives insist on being, president Trump will still protect you.
6
Japan was not in TPP negotiations originally because there were and still are big opposition groups inside. Nevertheless we made it and the parliament approved it recently to give the US, what our PM says, a pressure. Now all those efforts are gone. Probably the best way for us is to suspend or prolong any kind of negotiations with the US for the next four years and to see what happens in 2020.
The TPP is both good and bad depending upon the audience. If the audience are people who have money invested in the markets, or CEOs or Middle Class with very secure jobs. It is a bad deal because stocks won't grow as quickly and goods at Walmart will go up in price.
For blue collar workers who need jobs that pay a livable wage - it's a great deal, provided large tariffs are placed on imported goods.
In terms of world trade, the US has always had large trade deficits with an outflow of hard currency year after year: decade after decade.
The Blue Collar workers were the first ones to pay the price, now it is hitting the middle class as engineering and design jobs are being outsourced.
For the entire world over all...automation is killing off many jobs, but this is inevitable. When it is more profitable to buy, install, and maintain robots than it is to pay workers...people will lose their jobs.
For blue collar workers who need jobs that pay a livable wage - it's a great deal, provided large tariffs are placed on imported goods.
In terms of world trade, the US has always had large trade deficits with an outflow of hard currency year after year: decade after decade.
The Blue Collar workers were the first ones to pay the price, now it is hitting the middle class as engineering and design jobs are being outsourced.
For the entire world over all...automation is killing off many jobs, but this is inevitable. When it is more profitable to buy, install, and maintain robots than it is to pay workers...people will lose their jobs.
2
I'm sure he read the TPP. Trump's understanding of trade and economics is a quite simplistic and populist one. It also appears like the sun revolves around the sun until you understand a little about science. From what I understand this deal would have benefited Americans.
I'm just wondering, when Trump's policies settle in and we have increasing trade deficits, inflation, slow wage growth (and decreased wages for many supporters as his party eliminates the federal minimum wage), slower economic growth overall and then the layoffs - what then??
That is where we are headed.
I'm just wondering, when Trump's policies settle in and we have increasing trade deficits, inflation, slow wage growth (and decreased wages for many supporters as his party eliminates the federal minimum wage), slower economic growth overall and then the layoffs - what then??
That is where we are headed.
3
This is not some repudiation of Obama; congress had long ago abandoned this trade deal, including most democrats. Obama quit pursuing it...this is just more Trump taking credit for something he had nothing to do with. Get used to it, but refuse to accept it.
2
For those of us that lived in NYC, or the shadow of NYC, in the 1980's, I predict Trump (fixated on the 80's) will run the executive office of the presidency the way George Steinbrenner ran the Yankees.
We're in for a dizzying ride.
We're in for a dizzying ride.
4
The Yankees did pretty good under George Steinbrenner if I remember correctly.
7
The smart move was to call upon the countries who concluded the negotiations to reopen the negotiations to correct the flaws in the TPP. Just abandoning it means that the countries of Asia will have to decide whether to make separate arrangements with the U.S. to avoid pressures from China to make arrangements with it, or give into the pressures from China. In any case, the efforts to set some minimal standards for working conditions, pay, and environmental impacts are gone. Basically, we risk having China gain hegemony while keeping our ability to compete in trade while protecting workers and the environment very difficult. We are 5% of the world's people with 20% of the world's economy. We can improve our infrastructure but in the end, most of the future economic growth is going to be global not local, and this notion that we can go it alone and become as wealthy as we were in 1970 is a delusion. We need to adapt to a global economy so that we prosper with it or we face an economy that just cannot grow enough to keep us prosperous.
6
The past week has been 2 Presidents playing tit-for-tat.
We honestly deserve better.
(I mean really, what's the hurry..except vengeance - oh and saying you made true on a campaign promise.
Notice the only smiling face in the room is Bannon's!
We honestly deserve better.
(I mean really, what's the hurry..except vengeance - oh and saying you made true on a campaign promise.
Notice the only smiling face in the room is Bannon's!
2
Steve Bannon is a brilliant strategist and extraordinarily smart. I also share your wariness about him because of that awful Breitbart news. Let's just hope he uses his power for good and not evil.
I really don't know what to make of Steve Bannon. He is a divisive figure, but I also see his brilliance. I just don't have a clear picture of his ideology.
I really don't know what to make of Steve Bannon. He is a divisive figure, but I also see his brilliance. I just don't have a clear picture of his ideology.
1
Dr. Josef Goebbels was also a brilliant strategist and extraordinarily smart....
Now. Doesn't everyone feel so much better????
Now. Doesn't everyone feel so much better????
Australia has already said that if America isn't going to show leadership, and China is, they're with China, because SOMEONE has to show leadership. If the Trump administration is all about ceding American position, policy and influence in the world, they surely must know, being such amazing businessmen, that SOMEONE will move in to fill the void left behind. Will that country be as amenable to American interests as the US was? Likely not.
It's like the American Sovereignty Bill introduced in committee. It commits the US to leave the UN, kick the UN out of NYC, end any financial contribution to any UN agency, etc etc etc. I don't expect it to make it out of committee, but what if it does? What if it is actually enacted into law? Can you imagine the UN headquarters moving to China? Russia? And wow, what a coup for those countries to have outsize impact in the global community, and the US to have none, as they withdraw.
The country seems to be run by a bunch of people who have no clue about the world - and it seems it is only going to get worse. Good luck America.
It's like the American Sovereignty Bill introduced in committee. It commits the US to leave the UN, kick the UN out of NYC, end any financial contribution to any UN agency, etc etc etc. I don't expect it to make it out of committee, but what if it does? What if it is actually enacted into law? Can you imagine the UN headquarters moving to China? Russia? And wow, what a coup for those countries to have outsize impact in the global community, and the US to have none, as they withdraw.
The country seems to be run by a bunch of people who have no clue about the world - and it seems it is only going to get worse. Good luck America.
7
Who cares what Australia does? That's none of our business.
6
I'd like to know when he plans to bring his - and his daughter's manufacturing back to the US from China. The day he applies his philosophy to himself is the day I gain respect for him.
7
It strikes me that Trump expects other nations to come looking for trade deals with the US in the same way that he expects people to flock to his Trump branded products.
He may very well have no idea about how many people don't buy his products.
He may very well have no idea about how many people don't buy his products.
4
Who benefits from the US pulling out of TPP at this early stage? China! and Trump who buys Chinese Steel and uses Chinese manufacturing!
5
A lot of white men standing there! The image of Re-Gilded Age America. Not the world that we live in. And not smart to leave the field to the others.
6
Forcing a group to be diverse simply for the sake of diversity is one of the worst forms of racism
8
@william
Only a White man could come out with something like that.
Thank you for proving the point.
Only a White man could come out with something like that.
Thank you for proving the point.
3
If Trump is so smart, why did he abandon TPP? Having been a party to the creation of the pact, we had leverage we have now lost. He had a good hand, and he threw in his cards, putting China in position to be the winner in trans-Pacific trade. If this is an example of how he is going to negotiate, we are in big trouble. This is not smart. It is stupid if the aim is indeed to create a trade deal that is better for the US than TPP was claimed to be.
3
Trump is more interested in delivering a "blow to the Obama legacy" than he is in actually doing right by the American worker and the American economy. Obama hurted his feelings, and the need for payback will always take precedence over sensible policy. As a result, the leaders of China's economy are fist-pumping. Of course, so are Trump's America supporters, but only because they haven't done the math.
7
The TPP was significant for the country that was not included: China. These trade "deals" are ridiculous give-aways to giant corporations, allowing them to sidestep rational regulations, environmental protections, and worker rights.
As Noam Chomsky has said: 'One of the great achievements of the doctrinal system has been to divert anger from the corporate sector to the government that implements the programs that the corporate sector designs, such as the highly protectionist corporate/investor rights agreements that are uniformly mis-described as "free trade agreements" in the media and commentary. With all its flaws, the government is, to some extent, under popular influence and control, unlike the corporate sector. It is highly advantageous for the business world to foster hatred for pointy-headed government bureaucrats and to drive out of people's minds the subversive idea that the government might become an instrument of popular will, a government of, by and for the people.'
As Noam Chomsky has said: 'One of the great achievements of the doctrinal system has been to divert anger from the corporate sector to the government that implements the programs that the corporate sector designs, such as the highly protectionist corporate/investor rights agreements that are uniformly mis-described as "free trade agreements" in the media and commentary. With all its flaws, the government is, to some extent, under popular influence and control, unlike the corporate sector. It is highly advantageous for the business world to foster hatred for pointy-headed government bureaucrats and to drive out of people's minds the subversive idea that the government might become an instrument of popular will, a government of, by and for the people.'
5
Do the proponents of the TPP approve of the ISDS provision whereby corporations can sue governments when health, safety, and environmental regulations interfere with profits? Are they aware of the patent protections in the deal that reduce access to life-saving drugs? Is the maximization of profits now more important than the well-being of people and the planet? I would like the see the defenders of the deal address these concerns.
9
HRC and Bernie wanted it gone so it must be the right decision.
11
What a diverse group of people in that photo/video.
5
There are a lot of people here in Florida who describe themselves as fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Many of these people do not like Trump. But they may very well oppose protectionist trade policies based on principle and not partisanship.
Not everyone who believes in free trade is a .01% elitist. The fact that the people who ARE .01% elitists, Trump and his fellow billionaires and his Goldman Sachs friends, are dismantling the TPP as one of their first major actions should give you pause. What do they stand to gain? Do you really think they're looking out for the little people out of the goodness of their hearts, despite all evidence to the contrary?
Not everyone who believes in free trade is a .01% elitist. The fact that the people who ARE .01% elitists, Trump and his fellow billionaires and his Goldman Sachs friends, are dismantling the TPP as one of their first major actions should give you pause. What do they stand to gain? Do you really think they're looking out for the little people out of the goodness of their hearts, despite all evidence to the contrary?
5
Glad that TPP is abandoned, means we won't be seeing the insane prices for prescription drugs here in Thailand that you pay in America.
10
I remember when American cars were far inferior to foreign models. Competition forced US automakers to improve the quality of their product and their service. Instead of equipping today's labor force for tomorrow's jobs, Trump will turn back the clock and give us higher prices for lesser products. I for one do not want to subsidize those sectors of the economy that Trump chooses for protection.
Jobs leave when other countries have a labor force that can do them for less. When this happens, the labor force here should shift to more technical work that cannot be performed abroad. This cycle repeats when yet another country can do those jobs for less than the country they left the US to move to. Protecting these jobs by "artificial" means is not a successful long range strategy for the economy.
Jobs leave when other countries have a labor force that can do them for less. When this happens, the labor force here should shift to more technical work that cannot be performed abroad. This cycle repeats when yet another country can do those jobs for less than the country they left the US to move to. Protecting these jobs by "artificial" means is not a successful long range strategy for the economy.
8
Robert, you have an excellent point, but here's one point that I have noticed that people talking about jobs always either miss or overlook. Say, everyone takes your suggestion. The only problem I can see, regardless to the type of job is that the number will be finite, and whatever is created via technology, will also result in a lessor number of jobs. That would not be a bad thing, except you have to look at the numbers. Even if we had an idea situation, where everyone was highly trained for technology, there's not going to be enough jobs to go around, and eventually, it will affect us all. Whenever there's a situation whereas there are now available highly skilled people than there are jobs, it results in two things: 1. It devalues the jobs in question resulting in those people making an inferior salary, and 2. It creates a hostile environment for that field in general. We currently have this in most parts of information technology. Capitalism is designed to work this way, because this protects those in power. It's much more complex than these articles talk about, because everyone ignores the elephant in the room. Given the number of people living today, there will never be enough jobs for those qualified. The people who make these decisions understand this very well, but they make darn sure to make their explanations fuzzy because they know that if their supporters really understood, they would not bbq in office, so instead of telling the truth about it, they simply lie.
NYT, I'm confused; you seem to have two slightly different stories explaining the same act. In an earlier article today you said Trump was reinstating an order issued by Reagan that denied funding to organizations that even counseled (not performed) abortions. Quoted below..
"United States law already prohibits the use of American taxpayer dollars for abortion services anywhere, including in countries where the procedure is legal. But this order takes it further. It freezes United States funding to health care providers in poor countries if they include abortion counseling or if they advocate the right to seek abortion in their countries."
Now you seem to be saying something different (see quote below). Which is it?
"And he reinstituted limits on nongovernmental organizations that operate overseas and receive American taxpayer money from performing abortions. Republican presidents typically impose those restrictions soon after taking office, and Democratic presidents typically lift them when they take over."
We need good facts; these two articles both issued the same day appear to be at odds.
"United States law already prohibits the use of American taxpayer dollars for abortion services anywhere, including in countries where the procedure is legal. But this order takes it further. It freezes United States funding to health care providers in poor countries if they include abortion counseling or if they advocate the right to seek abortion in their countries."
Now you seem to be saying something different (see quote below). Which is it?
"And he reinstituted limits on nongovernmental organizations that operate overseas and receive American taxpayer money from performing abortions. Republican presidents typically impose those restrictions soon after taking office, and Democratic presidents typically lift them when they take over."
We need good facts; these two articles both issued the same day appear to be at odds.
4
Just because Trump does something, it's not automatically wrong. Bernie and Hillary were also opposed to TPP for very good reasons. It was a horrible trade deal.
26
I dunno, I figure if Trump does something, it's automatically wrong. The TPP would have had benefits for us and helped keep China in check. Most likely now at some point China will join it in our place, and get those benefits itself.
1
Yes, but this comes from a man whose clothes - the same "Make America Great" hats - were made in CHINA. It's hypocrisy, pure and simple.
2
The only smart person in the election was Hillary who was rightly for the TPP before she changed her position to try to get more votes. Bad move!
Deny, repeal, stop, abandon. So, it looks like the Trump administration's hallmark will be negative, regressive, back to the 19th century or before. Whatever happened to the idea of a progressive United States, always at the vanguard? Forget it! Trump's idea of making America great again is to shut the doors, build walls and fences, do not let the foreigners in. Stop everything! What a disaster has befallen this nation.
4
The story of the pied piper now it is trumps trumpet leading people to their demise.
1
These trade deals are often bad for the environment, because we can't use tariffs under them as an incentive to encourage sound environmental practice in partner nations. Without a trade deal, we can legislate environmental standards for steel production, say, and tax countries whose standards are more lax. This protects our manufacturers. But under trade deals, those tariffs are interpreted as unfair barriers to free trade.
Trade deals are about more than cheap labor. They also allow corporations to avoid expensive environmental compliance.
I dislike Trump as much as it seems many other people on this forum do, and I don't pretend to understand the complexities of TPP, but there are legitimate reasons to oppose TPP other than being an uninformed Trump lackey.
Trade deals are about more than cheap labor. They also allow corporations to avoid expensive environmental compliance.
I dislike Trump as much as it seems many other people on this forum do, and I don't pretend to understand the complexities of TPP, but there are legitimate reasons to oppose TPP other than being an uninformed Trump lackey.
11
I see by the by the comments many still have an imperialistic ego. Saying that killing this deal will give China more influence in Asia... Well for one - isn't China the largest Asian country? Would we want Germany or India having the most influence in the Americas??? Also - many of you seem misinformed... The reality is China is already the largest trading partner for most Asian countries - including ones they supposedly have disputes with like Vietnam and Japan.
TPP was a bad idea... Why? It purposely tried to isolate China. Agitating other countries is not smart. Trying to isolate another large and powerful country is also not smart. Have we learned nothing??
In any event - those who want to make this partisan - Bernie Sanders was totally against the deal - and Hilary flip flopped depending on which way the breeze was blowing.
TPP was a bad idea... Why? It purposely tried to isolate China. Agitating other countries is not smart. Trying to isolate another large and powerful country is also not smart. Have we learned nothing??
In any event - those who want to make this partisan - Bernie Sanders was totally against the deal - and Hilary flip flopped depending on which way the breeze was blowing.
12
How can he blame other countries for American job losses when the owners of the companies were the ones who pulled out of America. Put the blame where it belongs, on the greed of the owners.
2
I own a small business by the time i paid for all permits medical unemployment disability i could barely take home a minimum wage. I worked from 7 am to 7 pm 6 days a week and finally gave up. Doing business in US is tough large corporations open plants out of the country due to the high costs. The way to tackle the problem is to make it cheaper for companies to do business in US.
2
Aj,
I believe that's the plan.
I believe that's the plan.
1
"And he reinstituted limits on nongovernmental organizations that operate overseas and receive American taxpayer money from performing abortions. "
We should supply birth control instead, starting with Syrians. Based on pictures and videos seen, nearly all females have an infant in their arms, which says they think it's a good idea to have babies in war zones and increase the refugee population.
We should supply birth control instead, starting with Syrians. Based on pictures and videos seen, nearly all females have an infant in their arms, which says they think it's a good idea to have babies in war zones and increase the refugee population.
4
This so called President (illegitimate) doesn't have the intelligence to understand trade pacts. The world is better for trade. He leaves the door open for China to fill this void. American influence in the region, one of the most important in this century, will wane and we will pay the price. This man deserves no element of respect. He showed no element of respect for any of his political opponents nor President Obama (birther, founded ISIS, racist, hates America.....) so I hope the media shows him no respect. He reaps what he sows. He talks and acts like a five year old. And, I never want to hear from his lying shills like Kelly Anne. What is the point of interviewing these people when you need to fact check and reverse even the most basic of facts - "alternative facts". They do not deserve the time of day. The media needs to stop treating him like he is legitimate or normal - he is neither. Get his tax forms!
7
Regardless of your views about TPP, it is clear that Trump has no idea what he is doing. This just gives China more influence, which he is vehemently against. He is simply going on rhetoric and not critically examining policy. Imagine if he starts doing this with really important partnerships such as NATO. God help us.
4
The TPP was a sellout of American rights on the environment and labor. It would give foreign companies the right to protest American protections and engender a race to the bottom. Trade pacts must respect labor rights and environmental protection, not just the interests of corporations.
12
Ya know, about that headline, the TPP never seemed to me to be part of President Obama's legacy anyway. It's not a terribly important trade agreement, didn't change very much, just an attempt to make these trade partners more humanitarian and shut China out of trade deals with them. It'll get along just fine without us as part of it, and Pres. Obama was never, like, "the president who brought us the TPP".
I think President Obama's legacy is going to be more like the following:
1) The first non-white American President in history.
2) The guy who bagged Osama bin laden.
3) Promised to wind down our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, wars started by his predecessor, and did so.
4) Promised to keep us out of wars like Libya and Syria's civil wars, not to mention Yemen, Egypt, Nigeria, and all the other wars going on; and did so.
5) First president since Ford (and since he was a stand-in, before that, Hoover) who didn't get us involved in a war.
6) Provided health care for tens of millions of Americans who had none, through the ACA.
7) Best sense of humor of any president so far.
8) Took a nosediving economy and brought it back to levels we hadn't seen in a decade.
So all of that and more is what President Obama will be remembered for, the TPP just doesn't enter into it. Trump, on the other hand, will be remembered for starting his single term on day one with a barrage of lies about the crowd at his inauguration. All he's done is undo Obama's work, not build anything.
I think President Obama's legacy is going to be more like the following:
1) The first non-white American President in history.
2) The guy who bagged Osama bin laden.
3) Promised to wind down our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, wars started by his predecessor, and did so.
4) Promised to keep us out of wars like Libya and Syria's civil wars, not to mention Yemen, Egypt, Nigeria, and all the other wars going on; and did so.
5) First president since Ford (and since he was a stand-in, before that, Hoover) who didn't get us involved in a war.
6) Provided health care for tens of millions of Americans who had none, through the ACA.
7) Best sense of humor of any president so far.
8) Took a nosediving economy and brought it back to levels we hadn't seen in a decade.
So all of that and more is what President Obama will be remembered for, the TPP just doesn't enter into it. Trump, on the other hand, will be remembered for starting his single term on day one with a barrage of lies about the crowd at his inauguration. All he's done is undo Obama's work, not build anything.
9
After all the tens of thousands of American lives lost liberating this region during WWII the president virtually hands it over to the Chinese.
National spheres of influence is back.
China in the Pacific.
Russia in Eastern Europe and Syria.
The USA in .... America.
America first.
Good job Donald!
National spheres of influence is back.
China in the Pacific.
Russia in Eastern Europe and Syria.
The USA in .... America.
America first.
Good job Donald!
1
Obama's legacy is secure.
The liar will be remembered as the man who set the clock back and the next president will have to rescind the liars legacy.
I call him by his chosen occupation, liar in chief. We can all see with our own eyes that he confabulates a world spun thick with lies and he tells his minions to lie too. The photos of empty stands in his parade and the empty spaces on the mall and the transportation stats, ridership and bus parking show he is again, two and a half months after the election still lying to the public.
His problem is your problem. If it crosses his lips with glee it is a lie. Anything said in a monotone was written by somebody else and does not reflect what is in his heart. The heart of blackness, a dark empty remorseless well. This is the future, knee jerks and soft retractions that don't count, he is playing cat and mouse, the claws are always out.
He is the man who said and did all those things. We know him. He is a danger to America.
The liar will be remembered as the man who set the clock back and the next president will have to rescind the liars legacy.
I call him by his chosen occupation, liar in chief. We can all see with our own eyes that he confabulates a world spun thick with lies and he tells his minions to lie too. The photos of empty stands in his parade and the empty spaces on the mall and the transportation stats, ridership and bus parking show he is again, two and a half months after the election still lying to the public.
His problem is your problem. If it crosses his lips with glee it is a lie. Anything said in a monotone was written by somebody else and does not reflect what is in his heart. The heart of blackness, a dark empty remorseless well. This is the future, knee jerks and soft retractions that don't count, he is playing cat and mouse, the claws are always out.
He is the man who said and did all those things. We know him. He is a danger to America.
2
Insightful picture: Nine white males in corporate style suits and ties. Lest we forget who rules America now.
8
Aww
Would it make you feel better if there was one person from every country in the room? Because only that would be fair
Would it make you feel better if there was one person from every country in the room? Because only that would be fair
3
@Dc
Typical response. Of course you miss the point, because they all look like you.
Typical response. Of course you miss the point, because they all look like you.
2
Frankly I'm not knowledgeable enough to make a call on the TPP, but I doubt Trump is either. Based on Friday night's images, I think they just stick papers under his nose and say sign here.
2
Does this mean that "Make America Great Again" hats will now be made in America as opposed to where they are currently manufactured...China???
2
Funny, I keep hearing the same talking point about how withdrawal from TPP abandons Asian business interests to China, and sets us back with respect to trade competition. But I don't understand though...why is that so many Asians are continuing to emigrate to the US. Why are they seeking employment here, and why send their children to US universities. It's because they are smart, and understand that the best shot at prosperity and financial success is still here in the US. That is not going to change course because the TPP is dead and buried.
If people are truly worried about US competitiveness in the global economy, then what should concern them is how US tech companies and manufacturers have sold their soul to China et al, by embracing short term profit in paying slave wages to their labor force, have been strong armed into disclosing manufacturing techniques, surrendering IP and patent control and permitting entire raw material and supply chains to be set up in other nations, completely cutting out the US from those benefits. If US primacy and competitiveness were a concern, people would try finding ways to pack US universities with every willing & able US student before selling out to foreign students.
Instead of taking the above listed steps, it's more important to gnash teeth and wring hands over the TPP's demise. That tells you that US economic advancement is an afterthought, and what matters to people is free license to keep the outsource gravy train rolling.
If people are truly worried about US competitiveness in the global economy, then what should concern them is how US tech companies and manufacturers have sold their soul to China et al, by embracing short term profit in paying slave wages to their labor force, have been strong armed into disclosing manufacturing techniques, surrendering IP and patent control and permitting entire raw material and supply chains to be set up in other nations, completely cutting out the US from those benefits. If US primacy and competitiveness were a concern, people would try finding ways to pack US universities with every willing & able US student before selling out to foreign students.
Instead of taking the above listed steps, it's more important to gnash teeth and wring hands over the TPP's demise. That tells you that US economic advancement is an afterthought, and what matters to people is free license to keep the outsource gravy train rolling.
6
Opposing the TPP was one thing which Bernie and Donald agreed on - so let's give the new President points here. The first 100 days are the time to keep score. So far, he's got a bunch of minuses for some of the cabinet picks, but this one is a plus.
9
It's bad enough our future election will start too soon and run too long. Now we have to replay the last 24 years over and over? I knew his supporters were a backward looking bunch but yikes.
2
Donald's policy "buy American and hire American" is so yesterday like in the 1950's. If we are out of NAFTA and TPP and assume manufacturing is back with almost zero unemployment, his hypothesis "hire American" holds good. Being out of NAFTA and TPP, our products will not be competitive against the NAFTA and TPP members and the rest of world economy. It is like selling a luxury car to a nation for mobility where its people can get by with a bicycle. Second part of his hypothesis "buy American" crumbles. This is my thought. I am no economist.
2
Apparently so, unfortunately the internet gives people with zero economic intillect like yourself the ability to spouse your opinions for the world to see
Congrats.
Congrats.
2
Trump's decisions are based upon ethnocentric ideas and hatred. Nationalism and facism are dangerous just look at what happened in Germany. Interdependence is essential for economic and intellectual growth. Isolation leads to decline.
1
How am I supposed to know if TPP is good for me! I don't trust anything the Obama Regime did or that the media reports. Scrap it and start over, whats the hurry and just how much rubbish from China do you expect anyone to buy.
5
Oh yeah. Look in your household. Most likely, it is full of "rubbish" made in China.
1
Does this mean the left has to change to a pro-TPP stance.
9
"The president’s withdrawal from the Asian-Pacific trade pact amounted to a drastic reversal of decades of economic policy in which presidents of both parties have lowered trade barriers and expanded ties around the world."
They all depended on "donors", Trump doesn't. He is smart enough to know that when the workforce is reduced to jobless opioids, America cannot be great.
They all depended on "donors", Trump doesn't. He is smart enough to know that when the workforce is reduced to jobless opioids, America cannot be great.
4
Trump making America Great Again! Showing that he will take of this country first and foremost.
5
He'll take from this country first and foremost alright. Watch the corruption rise as our economy falls, should be an interesting demonstration of putting an ignorant narcissist into power.
3
Seriously? Where are his clothes made? That slogan you're so fond of? Those "Make America Great Again" hats? Made in China.
Do you not see the utter and callous hypocrisy of that? He's a billionaire, and he won't put a dime of that money where his mouth is.
He will never put anything other than himself first. You have been conned.
Do you not see the utter and callous hypocrisy of that? He's a billionaire, and he won't put a dime of that money where his mouth is.
He will never put anything other than himself first. You have been conned.
4
How much do you want to bet Trump has deals with China? His undermining this deal only helps China and hurts the US. Doubt it will be long before we hear about the opening of TRUMP TOWER BEIJING.
3
Most economists favor free trade. Trump's promotes the abolition of unfavorable trade agreements and proposes tariffs to reemedy unfair foreign trade policies. In short, he favors free trade, but only to the extent that it is fair. That is pretty much how Democrats fashion the domestic economy -- they promote free market principles modified to address inequities. Trump's policies are labelled reactionary. The Democrats' policies are labelled progressive, but they are pretty much one and the same. Let's disagree for the sake of disagreeing. That has become the American way.
4
Trump's world is stark and grim, it's win-lose and beggar your neighbor by increasing exports and blocking imports. The end of that road is inflation in the U.S. through higher prices for imports, retaliation by trading partners, job losses and recession as global trade volume falls. The TPP had many enemies, but abandoning it is only the first step. Trump will withdraw from NAFTA, squeeze Mexico, and step up pressure on China (which has no intention of submitting meekly). Among the consequences: more Mexican immigrants to the U.S. as the Mexican economy contracts.
2
Actually, this may not be a disaster for anyone but us. If the Chinese adopt a leadership role, it will be in their interest to make sure that the other countries involved, many of which are able to beat China on price, play by the rules that protect the environment, workers, and children. That will give China a level playing field, slowing the flow of low-tech, low-skill jobs out of China. And to the extent that China can supply infrastructure and loans to the other countries, it could bring in some cash. I don't know all the provisions of the TPP, but it might be a more successful arrangement without us.
China didn't steal our company's, corporate greed stole our economy, our lifeblood. Humpty Dumpty cannot be made whole.
8
What a great visual, an empty desk and a bunch of guys standing there wearing the same suit. The problem with Trump is that we all know he has an attention span of about 30 seconds. So could he explain this action he took today in any way that is not a slogan? No. Unless he wants to turn the country into an unregulated sweatshop, and Joe the Plumber wants a job there, it's not going to work.
6
Slight correction: a bunch of old rich white guys, excepting Jared who is rather young.
1
Stop beating me over the head every minute with concerns about Obama's "legacy."
Jimmy Carter's "legacy" will have very little to do with his time in the White House and very much to do with the 36 years (and counting) since then.
You're like a mother fussing over her son at his confirmation, slicking his hair down and straightening his tie.
Obama's legacy will be whatever it will be. But we are decades away from it taking shape.
Jimmy Carter's "legacy" will have very little to do with his time in the White House and very much to do with the 36 years (and counting) since then.
You're like a mother fussing over her son at his confirmation, slicking his hair down and straightening his tie.
Obama's legacy will be whatever it will be. But we are decades away from it taking shape.
12
Technology caused displacement of U.S. laborers and consolidation of the ownership class into the hands of a few on a scale unimaginable during the earlier industrial revolution. Prior to I.T. allowing for global stewardship of capital enterprises and the affordability of transportation of goods through use of ultra-large vessels, U.S. manufacturing was confined to the mainland exposing it to the demands of unionized labor. Non-union shops benefited from the structures emplaced by unions. Small towns had one or more foundries making anything from wrought iron railings to specialty metals. Knitting mills and shoe manufacturers were common. (Stores were small family businesses.)
The shift toward offshore manufacturing initially benefited companies by reducing labor costs. But over a period of forty-some years, it’s as if every time someone visited your home they took one possession with them hidden in a coat pocket. One day you woke up and you couldn’t stir your coffee because all the spoons were gone. And the coffeepot. And your sofa.
Ask yourself; to which political party did most of the ownership class belong? Republicans made it rain; they convinced the unemployed that liberals had caused the rain; now they claim they can control the weather and sell citizens umbrellas at a reduced cost. The only way that can happen is if citizens are willing to work for Bangladeshi wages at the U.S.A. umbrella factory. In laissez-faire capitalism, somebody gets left out in the rain.
The shift toward offshore manufacturing initially benefited companies by reducing labor costs. But over a period of forty-some years, it’s as if every time someone visited your home they took one possession with them hidden in a coat pocket. One day you woke up and you couldn’t stir your coffee because all the spoons were gone. And the coffeepot. And your sofa.
Ask yourself; to which political party did most of the ownership class belong? Republicans made it rain; they convinced the unemployed that liberals had caused the rain; now they claim they can control the weather and sell citizens umbrellas at a reduced cost. The only way that can happen is if citizens are willing to work for Bangladeshi wages at the U.S.A. umbrella factory. In laissez-faire capitalism, somebody gets left out in the rain.
6
Big win for China not the type of winning Trump promised. Sad!
3
It bernie won the presidency and did the same would it still be sad?!?
1
While it may be a blow to Obama's legacy, it is a bigger blow to America's standing and competitiveness in globally interconnected markets.
1
Nice photo. Could they have packed any more white men into the Oval Office?
Looking at their smug faces while he signs an order to deny women in other countries to even hear about the existence of their reproductive rights makes me ill. And also all the more determined to stop them.
#dissident
Looking at their smug faces while he signs an order to deny women in other countries to even hear about the existence of their reproductive rights makes me ill. And also all the more determined to stop them.
#dissident
7
Oh my Christine, the sky IS falling!!!
4
Trump withdrawing from the TPP does not take away anything from Obama's legacy. It is easy to withdraw. Let us see if he is able to put anything together. Hopefully, the Asian countries are not waiting for Trump and are planning to move forward on their own trade agreement. In the long term this might be the biggest blunder for America and American workers.
1
No, I approve withdrawing from the TPP agreement but what bothers me is the photograph showing the signing of the withdrawal document. What a saddening photograph.
1
Democrats and liberals should be hanging their heads in shame that it took a far-right conservative to enact what should have been a left-wing policy.
Now, on to tariffs so America can get its manufacturing jobs back.
Now, on to tariffs so America can get its manufacturing jobs back.
9
Agreed. The left-wing criticisms are about his suit or hair, or for his "motivation" to sign the withdrawal. Both Sanders and Hillary proposed doing it; most people are too dug into their trenches to do anything but lob greandes.
3
Does anyone really care about the TPP? If China wasn't in it why should we?
3
The TPP was designed as a counter to China's growing grip on the Pacific.
2
This demonstrates you have zero understanding of TPP (or geopolitics). It was purposely negotiated to deny China hegemony in the Asia-Pacific. China is celebrating our withdrawal.
1
You know what starts wars? When the people who live in smaller countries lose their subsistance jobs they have nothing to lose. They need to feed their families. Their leaders push them to war. Let's see what happens in Asia over the next four years. You think the leader of the Philippines is nasty now? Just wait'll you see what happens next.
1
Many democrats were against the TPP....Obama's legacy....you are missing the real deal I think.
5
Guess the Republicans have elected a true "Flat Earth Believer". Wonder if Trump is going to step up and be ahead of the line and convert all of his Trump Brand products to American Made?
Sold my stock today - now 90% cash and 10% gold.
Sold my stock today - now 90% cash and 10% gold.
1
where are you people educated??? Really. If bernie won and did the same as trump as he said he would, would you say the same??
3
The TPP is not good for people or the planet. It was written by, for, and of, global corporations. That is why global corporate mass media didn't bother to mention it for most of the time that it was being negotiated. It took a dedicated network of activists (using methods of direct democracy to cooperate) to force attention from the press (using methods of direct action). Bernie Sanders then picked up the issue in his campaign, which Trump immediately stole, and even, Hillary, who had said TPP "should be the gold standard for trade deals," had to say she was against it. Then the Party Platform wouldn't condemn TPP.
My guess is that in a couple of months Trump will say that he is fixed it, and that it is a huge trade deal that will bring hundreds of millions of jobs to the US. And he'll sign it, while the pundits say a great crisis was averted, and it's better than letting China write trade deals... All is good.
Meanwhile, global corporations will start suing the United States to lower the minimum wage.
Many on the right seem to have been correct when they worry about giving away our sovereignty to global organizations like WTO, the UN, NAFTA, WB, IMF, etc. What they have missed is that economic power is now more highly concentrated than when states are powerful. A few thousand people literally own half of the world's wealth. They own 75% of stocks. That is a controlling vote over all global corporate economics, an interlocking group of conglomerates, that own most media.
My guess is that in a couple of months Trump will say that he is fixed it, and that it is a huge trade deal that will bring hundreds of millions of jobs to the US. And he'll sign it, while the pundits say a great crisis was averted, and it's better than letting China write trade deals... All is good.
Meanwhile, global corporations will start suing the United States to lower the minimum wage.
Many on the right seem to have been correct when they worry about giving away our sovereignty to global organizations like WTO, the UN, NAFTA, WB, IMF, etc. What they have missed is that economic power is now more highly concentrated than when states are powerful. A few thousand people literally own half of the world's wealth. They own 75% of stocks. That is a controlling vote over all global corporate economics, an interlocking group of conglomerates, that own most media.
9
Thoughtful comment J, thanks.
2
How long before Trump & Co. open up their own manufacturing plants to make all the tawdry, gold-painted Trump goodies right here in the U.S.A.? Answer: *crickets chirp*
2
A "blow to Obama's legacy" .... or a blow to Trump's legacy?
History will decide.
Just because Trump changes something does not mean history will conclude he was right.
History will decide.
Just because Trump changes something does not mean history will conclude he was right.
5
Again, Trump shoots from the hip.
He jumps in and commits to decisions without going through the fiduciary duty to understand the consequences. He is going to get into real trouble doing that.
Her is a true example of how that works. When I worked at HP under Carly Fiorina. Some managers made a pitch to Carly for a new project called E-Speak. Carly, without the taking fiduciary responsibility to research it immediately said, "Do it!". The project failed.
This project was a linchpin to efforts all over HP that depended on E-Speak to work, but it turned out to be a flawed concept....the idea was to automatically set up business partnerships with an interactive on-line process. The trouble is, nobody in the trenches knew what they were doing or how it was supposed to work. The idea was ill-formed and unworkable ignoring that all business have their own ways of doing things.
Worse yet, Carly and Company were telling everyone how wonderful this stuff was going to be. Because because it was all Smoke and Mirrors, it led to some awful situations.
One such nightmare situation occurred for a major Bank Customer who had problems with some of the ill conceived software. A dozen major programmers within the company ended up trying to fix the problem overnight by thumbing through the code base to cut and paste chunks of code in order to patch the problem so it would work. Needless to say, they failed.
Predictably, E-Speak went belly up.
Good luck Trump!
He jumps in and commits to decisions without going through the fiduciary duty to understand the consequences. He is going to get into real trouble doing that.
Her is a true example of how that works. When I worked at HP under Carly Fiorina. Some managers made a pitch to Carly for a new project called E-Speak. Carly, without the taking fiduciary responsibility to research it immediately said, "Do it!". The project failed.
This project was a linchpin to efforts all over HP that depended on E-Speak to work, but it turned out to be a flawed concept....the idea was to automatically set up business partnerships with an interactive on-line process. The trouble is, nobody in the trenches knew what they were doing or how it was supposed to work. The idea was ill-formed and unworkable ignoring that all business have their own ways of doing things.
Worse yet, Carly and Company were telling everyone how wonderful this stuff was going to be. Because because it was all Smoke and Mirrors, it led to some awful situations.
One such nightmare situation occurred for a major Bank Customer who had problems with some of the ill conceived software. A dozen major programmers within the company ended up trying to fix the problem overnight by thumbing through the code base to cut and paste chunks of code in order to patch the problem so it would work. Needless to say, they failed.
Predictably, E-Speak went belly up.
Good luck Trump!
1
President Trump deserves credit for starting to deliver and fulfill his campaign promises. That is a first breakaway from President Obama, delivered mostly beautiful 'feel good' speeches.
We can be only jealous of Republicans who are not afraid of anyone and get straight to business, which is another departure from President Obama who was afraid of everyone and everything: Russia, PM Netayahu, big Pharma, Wall Street, insurance companies the Republican party, military industrial complex, budget hawks and many more.
President Trump signals a breakaway from Neo-libralism as well. Presidents Regan, Clinton, Bush and Obama did everything within their power to decimate the Middle Class with "Free Trade" agreements.
President Obama fought vigorously for the TPP, we could only wish he was as forceful and determined pushing for universal healthcare, or maternity leave, or minimum wage, or gun control, or help homeowners who lost their homes to fraudulent banks or students crushed under debt or for poverty stricken African-Americans or try to save desperate jobless white working class, or even prosecute Wall Street.
Indeed President Trump would need few short afternoons to erase Obama's minor achievements; His healthcare law - written by insurance companies - is imploding, and a non-binding climate deal can be ignored.
All President Obama left us with are beautiful speeches and President Trump. After all flourishing, employed, content communities would never have voted for Trump.
We can be only jealous of Republicans who are not afraid of anyone and get straight to business, which is another departure from President Obama who was afraid of everyone and everything: Russia, PM Netayahu, big Pharma, Wall Street, insurance companies the Republican party, military industrial complex, budget hawks and many more.
President Trump signals a breakaway from Neo-libralism as well. Presidents Regan, Clinton, Bush and Obama did everything within their power to decimate the Middle Class with "Free Trade" agreements.
President Obama fought vigorously for the TPP, we could only wish he was as forceful and determined pushing for universal healthcare, or maternity leave, or minimum wage, or gun control, or help homeowners who lost their homes to fraudulent banks or students crushed under debt or for poverty stricken African-Americans or try to save desperate jobless white working class, or even prosecute Wall Street.
Indeed President Trump would need few short afternoons to erase Obama's minor achievements; His healthcare law - written by insurance companies - is imploding, and a non-binding climate deal can be ignored.
All President Obama left us with are beautiful speeches and President Trump. After all flourishing, employed, content communities would never have voted for Trump.
6
"Flourishing, employed, and content communities would never have voted for Trump."
A good point that is curiously lost on a lot of liberals. The left is partially responsible for Trump. They created him when they sold out the common people in the name of international capitalism.
A good point that is curiously lost on a lot of liberals. The left is partially responsible for Trump. They created him when they sold out the common people in the name of international capitalism.
3
TPP cannot truly be said to be part of Obama's legacy, because TPP was never implemented, even though his administration worked hard to get it approved. Not at all like ACA, a big part of Obama's legacy and considered his "signature achievement" during his first term.
3
Didn't vote for Trump and pretty much can't stand him, but, yay!! Do it again! Do NAFTA now!
3
Trump wants to protect American blue color factory workers. Instead, he needs to consider protecting American consumers, who will be hurt by his policy of protectionism. As the result, economy will tank and his beloved factory workers will be laid off anyway and with no health insurance.
1
What little I could find out about the TPP was that it sought to elevate the ability of corporate entities to litigate, domestically and abroad, while seeking even more favorable terms for US companies in Asian markets, as well as labor bases.
The truth is, our government shouldn't be advocating anything in the Asian political sphere on behalf of US corporations, and certainly shouldn't be ceding any legal authority to them. What should be happening is yanking back the corporate tax havens, and coercing these US-based companies, who enjoy all of the benefits of transacting under the US umbrella of security, legal and financial convenience, to revert their manufacturing ops to CONNUS.
Personally, I would adopt two policies if I had my say. #1, if you pull any tax shenanigans, basing more than X% (50%) of your labor force abroad, then congratulations! you are now a foreign corporate entity! Unless 75% of your executive board lives outside of the CONNUS, we will assess an "inversion surcharge" on all goods brought into the US for sale. #2, enact "offshore clawback" legislation, empowering US government to levy retroactive tax on corporate job offshoring that fits the criteria of profiteering, or is deemed harmful to long term US strategic interests. Idiotic, greed driven maneuvers like completely eliminating US production of vital commodities, steel, key technological items, electronics, high-end consumer goods could have profits recouped years later.
The truth is, our government shouldn't be advocating anything in the Asian political sphere on behalf of US corporations, and certainly shouldn't be ceding any legal authority to them. What should be happening is yanking back the corporate tax havens, and coercing these US-based companies, who enjoy all of the benefits of transacting under the US umbrella of security, legal and financial convenience, to revert their manufacturing ops to CONNUS.
Personally, I would adopt two policies if I had my say. #1, if you pull any tax shenanigans, basing more than X% (50%) of your labor force abroad, then congratulations! you are now a foreign corporate entity! Unless 75% of your executive board lives outside of the CONNUS, we will assess an "inversion surcharge" on all goods brought into the US for sale. #2, enact "offshore clawback" legislation, empowering US government to levy retroactive tax on corporate job offshoring that fits the criteria of profiteering, or is deemed harmful to long term US strategic interests. Idiotic, greed driven maneuvers like completely eliminating US production of vital commodities, steel, key technological items, electronics, high-end consumer goods could have profits recouped years later.
4
Ridiculous to frame this as "a blow to Obama's legacy." Rather, it's a turn away from world leadership, ceding position to China, a blow to the long run interests of the US and to our collective well-being. A world in which nations compete in their economic capacities while maintaining integrated and co-dependent production and trading systems is far superior to one marked by competition of militaries and imperial pursuits. There are plenty ways to handle adjustment costs, disparate impacts, transition costs, etc. that smart (and self-interested) public policy can and should pursue.
2
I think this is a good thing he is doing.
5
The TPP was opposed by many Democrats and Republicans. This is one of those secret deals where we have to pass it to read it. No thanks.
11
Let's grant that Trump can make a better deal with the Pacific countries. But, as he considered that length of time it takes to negotiate and finalize a trade agreement? While multilateral agreements are more complex and time consuming, bilateral agreements encourage a cut-throat competition between countries. Having scrapped the PTP, the US will now have to negotiate individually with 11 countries. China will, undoubtedly, take the opportunity to attract as many countries as it can by offering advantageous terms. The process may be laborious and the consequences uncertain.
4
I don't see any reason to assume Trump can make any good deal with the Pacific countries. He's worked hard to alienate all but Russia and a couple of other dictatorships. The Pacific Rim nations are very worried and distrustful of him, as they should be, and they are looking to disassociate from America. Trump, by his belligerent, ignorant style, has made it nearly impossible for America to make any beneficial deals with anyone besides Russia.
Ah and keep in mind, that book, "The Art of the Deal" wasn't written by him.
Ah and keep in mind, that book, "The Art of the Deal" wasn't written by him.
2
Going to stop other countries fro stealing our companies. It seems to me, the bought them, the owners sold them for a profit.
there is not such thing as our job, our companies, there is global competition, if you can make a better product or make on cheaper, it will be done. this is just an appeal to jingoism, it is going to cost jobs and influence. Those jobs he is talking about are already gone and not coming back.
In fact what is wrong with the TPP is its control over laws like environmental ones, that can be claimed to hurt the trade. But it would be god for business, and its demise is good for China.
Those Midwest workers who are opposed to the treaty are too dumb to know what it is all about, that is why they are low paid n have high unemployment. Now they wont even have medical insurance, and their Social Security will be reduced. Many of them are in the right to work states, they have the right to work for $9 an hour with no medical, no pension, no seniority job protection. and they think they are smart, they think Trump will make it better for them.
there is not such thing as our job, our companies, there is global competition, if you can make a better product or make on cheaper, it will be done. this is just an appeal to jingoism, it is going to cost jobs and influence. Those jobs he is talking about are already gone and not coming back.
In fact what is wrong with the TPP is its control over laws like environmental ones, that can be claimed to hurt the trade. But it would be god for business, and its demise is good for China.
Those Midwest workers who are opposed to the treaty are too dumb to know what it is all about, that is why they are low paid n have high unemployment. Now they wont even have medical insurance, and their Social Security will be reduced. Many of them are in the right to work states, they have the right to work for $9 an hour with no medical, no pension, no seniority job protection. and they think they are smart, they think Trump will make it better for them.
15
President Trump is in lockstep with his fellow short-sighted and arrogant Republicans. As any intelligent and reasonable business person knows, no deal is 100% perfect; there is always some compromise. But the TPP made sure that the U.S. was in the game in Asia Pacific, and trade in that region is crucial to American businesses and industry. There are many reasons for the U.S.'s slow climb back to a healthy economy -- aside from the fact that the last Republican administration dug us into a deep, deep hole! -- and those issues are not being addresses. Climate change, lack of education and training for U.S. workers for the millions of manufacturing jobs that are available, the varying state regulations on business, corporate greed in paying lower wages and hiring fewer workers to work longer hours and shoulder more work, and so on. As to the states, those that seem to be in the most distress in the Rust Belt -- which handed Trump the election -- are headed by Republican governors. The exception is Pennsylvania, who has a Democratic governor; but the problems in PA seem to be due to climate change, primarily.
Protectionism might bring some short-term relief, but it will bring long-term economic grief to America.
Mr. Trump seems to be going down the path of that other protectionist President, Herbert Hoover, and his predecessor, Calvin Coolidge, infamous for his laissez-faire economic policies -- you know, those wonderful folks who brought us the Great Depression.
Protectionism might bring some short-term relief, but it will bring long-term economic grief to America.
Mr. Trump seems to be going down the path of that other protectionist President, Herbert Hoover, and his predecessor, Calvin Coolidge, infamous for his laissez-faire economic policies -- you know, those wonderful folks who brought us the Great Depression.
14
Hillary, Bernie, and Trump were all against it. Only Obama wanted it.
5
Wait. I am confused. HRC wanted it gone too and she is so smart
3
Uh, you did read that Republicans, along with President Obama, supported and pushed the TPP? And that congressional Democrats opposed it? Trump is far from aligned with most Republicans on this, so you can't blame them for his action (although you clearly blame them for everything).
3
So the great "fabricator" does what he said he'd on his first day in Office. That sounds like someone keeping his word. His opponents are in for a big shock if they thought he's all talk.
21
I think people were just hoping he's all talk.
Because his ideas are terrible.
Because his ideas are terrible.
2
The end of the American Century. We've ceded free trade to China. Not a perfect deal, but the US was in the lead. This is the real American carnage, it is not America first.
6
That's how it usually goes. Power grows and wanes. The natural cycle of empires (and let's not pretend we are not one - just a "different" type).
2
Get a grip fellow liberals. Bernie was going to deep six the TPP too. Hillary belatedly said she was against it but as sure as I am sitting here had she won she would have gotten it through congress - with Republican and Corporate Democratic votes. So, let's give this clown credit where credit is due, otherwise no one will pay attention to liberals if they whine about things Trump does even if we agree with him.
25
Tho pushed by Obama, TPP (fast track - the first step towards passing it) was only passed with GOP support. You see the problem? How would the ostensible OPPOSITION party, the Democrats, promote something that the GOP likes? ANswer? They are in bed with the same corporate elite which is running the place.
IF the Dems want to win in the future they MUST distance themselves from the corporate elite and align themselves w/ the people, the 99 pct, and their needs.
IF the Dems want to win in the future they MUST distance themselves from the corporate elite and align themselves w/ the people, the 99 pct, and their needs.
11
The only question important is if TPP was good for country. And the answer is yes.
A leader doing what ever he promised and got him elected? how strange, I did not know existed, I might be dreaming
20
You first, herr drumpf. Your products are still made in China, even your campaign junk and your basic "we won" merchandise. Your daughter's products are going to another very poor country where she can exploit very poor people and have a huge markup on her products. You start.
16
Well, I imagine there's joy in China tonight as Trump has just abrogated the US' role in shaping Pan Asian affairs. Don't know if he's too arrogant to have bothered to understand that or is continuing to play to his ill informed voters.
6
Out here in Seattle, the Puget Sound Business Journal just published an article saying this will be a huge financial loss to Washington State. We are the most trade-dependent area of the country.
13
China wins on this one and are business community will lose as will US workers.
4
I just wish a reporter would ask President Trump, specifically, what part of TPP does he not like? I guarantee you he has no idea what's in TPP.
13
Quitting the TPP is an unbelievably bad idea.
The deal was designed to move outsourced businesses in China to other Pacific countries, while at the same time, opening up those markets to US exports (particularly agricultural products and intellectual properties). With TPP, the US is gaining new markets without losing almost anything.
On the new president's love of bilateral deals - they are bad deals. It does nothing but to invite rent-seeking from the countries with bilateral deals.
The deal was designed to move outsourced businesses in China to other Pacific countries, while at the same time, opening up those markets to US exports (particularly agricultural products and intellectual properties). With TPP, the US is gaining new markets without losing almost anything.
On the new president's love of bilateral deals - they are bad deals. It does nothing but to invite rent-seeking from the countries with bilateral deals.
6
Who do you think is surrounding Asian leaders?. All Asian males! Give me a break. show me any diversity in any country outside the US and Europe.
2
Great photo. He is surrounded by white men only.
7
Is there some sort of "color" test that must be passed in order to govern?
4
Has it ever occured to you that this great Nation is made up of more than just White men???
If anyone has blinders on, it's obviously you.
Wake-up!
If anyone has blinders on, it's obviously you.
Wake-up!
Hillary was against TPP, too. So kind of a strange headline for this piece. Also remember that Trump is Obama's legacy.
23
Obama didn't have to depend on the Electoral College to win....TWICE.
I see no Trump legacy there.
I see no Trump legacy there.
2
It will hurt - it has to hurt.
3
On this I agree with Trump. No one really knew what was in the TTP. Not even congress. Obama would have allow this agreement without an open and honest debate on how 320 million Americans will be affected. We already know China track record on majority of it imports Lead paint bad foods and sheetrock walls that are harmful to human and pets.
24
If memory serves me correctly, President Trump said he would create 25 million jobs while in office. If my math is correct, that equates to about 17,123 jobs a day. I have not seen any announcements on jobs created to date. Would someone at the Times please keep a scoreboard on job creation?
10
This wrong-headed decision will hand trade in the Asia-Pacific region over to the Chinese. Rather than abandoning the TPP, the Trump administration should renegotiate the parts of the agreement that they don't agree with. This, along with the tariffs on Chinese goods that Trump wants to impose, will end up hurting us. It will ultimately result in the loss of jobs in this country. Sad!
102
This reminds me of the story Emperor"s new clothes. A wise man does what is right and what is beneficiary for him not to just scrap it to please people.
Baloney. the Chinese depend on the US, EU, Japan, and South Korea as export markets for their goods. If the pipeline is narrowed a bit it will hurt them. I have no problem with bringing jobs back to the USA. Our manufacturing base is critical. If the PRC suffers, I don't care.
1
Assuming they have read it.
The unconditional withdrawal from the TPP is a disaster for many US allies, and not only in Asia. There, the mice, Indonesia, Viet Nam, etc. will be forced to submit to the hegemony of the PRC, ruthless and ambitious for domination in its sphere of influence which Trump has just ceded to it. Furthermore, this US retreat will resonant elsewhere, as among the Baltic states and the Ukraine, who now must re-calibrate their ties to the West for fear of provoking Putin. These small nations now know what "Make America First" means: An abandonment of America's role as the steward of the world's commons. Trump's actions are, thus, no mere re-negotiation of a flawed treaty, they are a repudiation of decades of bi-partisanship that linked American prosperity to that of the other nations of the world. That policy is now shredded and needs to be re-built before calamities engulf us all. Trump and those who enable him have no grasp of the complex web of world institutions that he has placed in danger. Only the mature Republican foreign policy elite can arrest this slippery slope.
6
"... a repudiation of decades of bi-partisanship that linked American prosperity to that of the other nations of the world."
You do make some good points, however, you should recognize that that prosperity has been diminishing for an increasing number of Americans. It has brought about a heroin problem to many communities suffering from joblessness, and basically has created an oligarchy as the sole benefactors.
This cannot go on without destroying the country. One doesn't have to be a genius to see that we are way past the point of diminishing returns for the American public. We need to redefine how 'Economic Growth' and Prosperity are measured. Otherwise, we will be fast approaching the Soylent Green.
You do make some good points, however, you should recognize that that prosperity has been diminishing for an increasing number of Americans. It has brought about a heroin problem to many communities suffering from joblessness, and basically has created an oligarchy as the sole benefactors.
This cannot go on without destroying the country. One doesn't have to be a genius to see that we are way past the point of diminishing returns for the American public. We need to redefine how 'Economic Growth' and Prosperity are measured. Otherwise, we will be fast approaching the Soylent Green.
2
Finally a president who doesn't steal from the middle class to pay for the poor and make the rich even richer!
12
How's your time share in that bridge doing? You know, the bridge not far from where you likely live that gets resold often?
1
This is a man who has stiffed contractors and refused to pay workers even minimum wage--it's all on the record. We'll see if trashing TPP has anything to do with your comment. I don't pretend to know enough about trade to understand all the ramifications but know that he's never been a champion for anyone but himself.
1
The TPP was doomed no matter who got into office. Trump was against it. Bernie was against it. Hillary said she was against it, but one of the many reasons she lost was because despite being againt it in public, nobody was sure if she would still be against it when she took office.
27
Big win for the environment, although I'm sure Trump didn't realize that. TPP would have provided a mechanism to supersede US environmental regulations, although Trump may beat them to it. So maybe it's a wash.
6
Americans are facing two opposite views on international trade.The old Democrat/Republican of last century and the new one proposed by president Donald Trump.
The Democratic/Republican 20th-century model was basically, American-based corporations leading the global economic integration process. In America, it created few winners and many losers. Globally, it was a different story.
In China, globalization created a new economic superpower and in Mexico, it made the ruling elite even richer. Among the ten richest man in the world, is Carlos Slim a successful entrepreneur.
In America, among the winners was the political elite, corporations, and investors that reaped most of the enormous wealth creation in third world countries. The big time losers were American workers whose jobs were shipped to low wage countries.
The 2017 Trump model. American workers and job creation come first. It remains to be seen its impact of wealth generation and welfare gains to the economy as a whole and American workers.
One thing for sure. Investors and corporation will adapt and evolve in this new political environment. As we all know by now. the uber rich never loses,
The Democratic/Republican 20th-century model was basically, American-based corporations leading the global economic integration process. In America, it created few winners and many losers. Globally, it was a different story.
In China, globalization created a new economic superpower and in Mexico, it made the ruling elite even richer. Among the ten richest man in the world, is Carlos Slim a successful entrepreneur.
In America, among the winners was the political elite, corporations, and investors that reaped most of the enormous wealth creation in third world countries. The big time losers were American workers whose jobs were shipped to low wage countries.
The 2017 Trump model. American workers and job creation come first. It remains to be seen its impact of wealth generation and welfare gains to the economy as a whole and American workers.
One thing for sure. Investors and corporation will adapt and evolve in this new political environment. As we all know by now. the uber rich never loses,
12
My fear with him is he has never read anything but the cover of these trade deals. He has probably no more knowledge than I do and yet he knows enough to turn the world upside down.
His world view probably only exists in his head if his view of America he gave us last week is any guide. He knows nothing but sure wants to tell you he does because he is so smart! Smart me! seems to be his opening line nowadays.
Next week will be the bonfire of the global alliances. Out with NATO and the UN. In with his buddy Putin. He will rent his buddy great digs in NYC and give the proceeds to the Treasury after expenses of course.
The Pacific war will be reenacted the week after with China standing in for Japan.
His world view probably only exists in his head if his view of America he gave us last week is any guide. He knows nothing but sure wants to tell you he does because he is so smart! Smart me! seems to be his opening line nowadays.
Next week will be the bonfire of the global alliances. Out with NATO and the UN. In with his buddy Putin. He will rent his buddy great digs in NYC and give the proceeds to the Treasury after expenses of course.
The Pacific war will be reenacted the week after with China standing in for Japan.
71
Never read? You mean like Pelosi with the ACA?
Gee, the thing was negotiated in secret; what's the big deal about Trump reading it. Sanders, and reluctantly Clinton, were against the TPP also. Mission accomplished. You want a deal, start over and do it in the sunlight.
1
"Probably, probably, probably..."
Do you have any facts, Dave, or will you just keep making unfounded aspersions?
Do you have any facts, Dave, or will you just keep making unfounded aspersions?
2
A big thank you to the new president from China.
2
To make a decision based solely on a false promise during an election, and without reviewing or analyzing the TTP agreement, is beyond comprehension and proves once again that our new President is totally unprepared to sit in the White House. He loves himself, forget that he will do anything for the middle class or the country, his objective is to promote himself and his brand. He is now handing the Asian market over to China, and the jobs won't come back. It is a sorry day, and what is next?
4
A free-trade agreement with Japan and South Korea, two modernized countries with high wages, environmental standards, and labor regulations would be beneficial.
A free-trade agreement with Southeast Asian countries who have no regulations of any kind and dirt cheap wages would not be helpful at this point in time. On balance, greater access to more markets is beneficial, but if there are no checks against offshoring to low-wage, low-regulation countries the result will be harm to certain crucial sectors of the labor force of the high-wage countries that enforce fair labor standards and environmental regulations.
Liberals shouldn't let their hatred for Trump lead them to endorse traditional right-wing positions that promote free-markets above all other concerns.
A free-trade agreement with Southeast Asian countries who have no regulations of any kind and dirt cheap wages would not be helpful at this point in time. On balance, greater access to more markets is beneficial, but if there are no checks against offshoring to low-wage, low-regulation countries the result will be harm to certain crucial sectors of the labor force of the high-wage countries that enforce fair labor standards and environmental regulations.
Liberals shouldn't let their hatred for Trump lead them to endorse traditional right-wing positions that promote free-markets above all other concerns.
11
Great, now Wally Wal-mart, and his wonderful wife Wanda, can stop on the way home, splurge on some fresh-cooked meth, fire it up out back by their Trump shrine and then cruise on over to the long-shuttered, tavern bar-coaster plant and wait for it to re-open.
5
Favorite post of the day
1
There is so much that needs to be undone. In the wink of an eye, America goes from one President that wanted only to divide us, to the next president that wants to help every American every way he can.
He started negotiating for us even before he was sworn in because that is what he does. America voted for, and is getting a 180 away from PC and anti-American legislation. To hear someone in a national speech actually acknowledge God instead of worrying it would offend someone is just so refreshing.
When people see manufacturing jobs and new opportunities coming to America's inner cites, many people will change their tone about the new President. Let's face it, he knows how to build.
PS: God bless Jim Brown. After a great career in the NFL, he could have sat back and relaxed forever but instead has helped many others less fortunate for many years. Jim Brown has a deep humble character, a character that knows what is right even while taking the slings and arrows of the day. A true American Hero.
He started negotiating for us even before he was sworn in because that is what he does. America voted for, and is getting a 180 away from PC and anti-American legislation. To hear someone in a national speech actually acknowledge God instead of worrying it would offend someone is just so refreshing.
When people see manufacturing jobs and new opportunities coming to America's inner cites, many people will change their tone about the new President. Let's face it, he knows how to build.
PS: God bless Jim Brown. After a great career in the NFL, he could have sat back and relaxed forever but instead has helped many others less fortunate for many years. Jim Brown has a deep humble character, a character that knows what is right even while taking the slings and arrows of the day. A true American Hero.
6
So. You think President Obama "wanted only to divide us" ???
That's interesting, because I NEVER heard him say any of the divisive hate-filled sexist, racist rhetoric that is the regular calling-card of Trump.
And you think Trump knows how to build?
By using Chinese steel, foreign workers he never pays, and ending tp in bankruptcy??
Let's face it, you've been bamboozled.
That's interesting, because I NEVER heard him say any of the divisive hate-filled sexist, racist rhetoric that is the regular calling-card of Trump.
And you think Trump knows how to build?
By using Chinese steel, foreign workers he never pays, and ending tp in bankruptcy??
Let's face it, you've been bamboozled.
2
Tragically, Trump has ushered in the end of the American Century. In a few years China or Russia will be the preeminent world power, the US an also ran. For those readers who doubt it, check back in a few years and you will see my prediction was correct. Too many Americans who mouth words like "Give him a chance" are not paying attention. What we have seen is what we will get
more of, and it will mean the end of America as we know it.
more of, and it will mean the end of America as we know it.
9
Yeah right, like your prediction a couple months ago about Trump not having a ghost of a chance to win?
2
Watch and see BearBoy, watch and see. (And Hillary won the election by 3,000,000 votes. The polls were right.
3
The issue is not Obamas legacy. the issue should be addressed based on what is best for the country. I predict, if we go into an isolationist period, our economy will descend into a black hole as the rest of the world enjoys the benefits of economic, and some social, progress.
We have elected a false messiah.
We have elected a false messiah.
4
God Bless our President, Donald Trump. Thank you for putting America first.
27
Your president, Donald Trump, also just nixed all foreign aid for abortion counseling for women in poor and developing countries. This helps ensure that more and more people will be born into unsustainable living situations.
How exactly does that put America first? You don't think we share this planet and its limited resources with every other country?
I really wish you people could think beyond the slogans and have some sense of your own about what patriotism is, instead of buying into the cheap cliches they shove at you to get your vote.
How exactly does that put America first? You don't think we share this planet and its limited resources with every other country?
I really wish you people could think beyond the slogans and have some sense of your own about what patriotism is, instead of buying into the cheap cliches they shove at you to get your vote.
2
No nation that puts itself first has ever become greater. If Trump understood economics or history, he would know that.
2
Much more than just abortion counseling, he has just nixed our aid to NGOs offering birth control counseling of ALL kinds. SMH
1
The Obama legacy is not going to be damaged by Trump. Policies may come and go, but Obama's legacy is one of decency and intelligence; Trump can't touch that.
In fact, I think Trump is the one with the legacy problem. Right out of the gate.
In fact, I think Trump is the one with the legacy problem. Right out of the gate.
6
I don't know why people are melting over Trump policy enactment. The man ifs doing what he told his supporters he would do. In a way, I have more respect for him for that. Unlike many politicians to tell voters one thing and do another when they get into office, he is keeping his promises. He was voted into office because of what he said he would do. He is doing that now, why should any of this surprise anyone?
This man is many things, but inconsistent, he is not.
This man is many things, but inconsistent, he is not.
17
"Unlike many politicians to tell voters one thing and do another when they get into office, he is keeping his promises."
Did he promise to fill his administration with bank and oil oligarchs?
Did he promise to fill his administration with bank and oil oligarchs?
1
Well, I thought he did promise that. But I wasn't listening to what he said, I heard what was in his heart.
1
Unfair Trade supporters keep trying to make an invidious comparison between jobs lost to automation and jobs lost to bad trade deals, but that dog doesn't hunt. With automation, manufacturing jobs are lost gradually and often through attrition. Plus, jobs are added designing, building, installing and maintaining the automated equipment. When jobs are lost to Unfair Trade, the whole factory leaves town, leaving whole communities out of work, and with few options. Their income evaporates and will never recover. Their houses plummet in value and aren't worth selling. Sure, we get cheaper, poorer-quality merchandise from third-world countries using sweat shop labor, but many of the great new jobs that trade deals create are crumby service jobs in some other community. Face it, NY Times readers, the Midwest voted its economic interest on this issue and the Clintons received their comeuppance.
14
Let's try to correct alleged mistakes of the past (NAFTA) by making a bigger one today. China's government must be celebrating as they will now set the terms for trade with the countries that would have been our partners in TPP. Cnina was not part of TPP. Does Trump know that? Does Sanders? Do they know that the agreement itself embodies workers rights protection? Environmental protection? benefits to smaller businesses? This action is politics by demagogery at its worst.
7
I am glad we are focusing on creating jobs for American citizens like me once again. I am tired of being either unemployed or underemployed as has been the case the past 8 years, I look forward to going back to work again.
23
Is there any sweat shop you prefer?
2
Sorry Michael but backing out of the TPP does absolutely nothing to get you a job. Good luck, under this awful administration, unemployment is sure to rise.
5
Chances are, you'll stay unemployed because you have a very long unemployment history and clearly no bankable skills. Sorry for speaking the truth - thought you people like it this way.
4
Stop with this nonsense about Obama's legacy. This is not the World Series, not even the Super Bowl. Obama's legacy is indelibly written in the hearts of millions. That why Trump is so obsessed with numbers. Notice the number of jobs he says he'll create: Clinton's record + 2 million.
Obama's legacy is about decency, grace, justice, and peace. Trump's goals are about nastiness, suppression of rights, spite, and revenge. Odd that so many with Catholic upbringing or background are such bigots -- Conway, Hannity, O'Reilly, Spicer, and the old right-wing Catholic males of the SCOTUS.
Obama's legacy is about decency, grace, justice, and peace. Trump's goals are about nastiness, suppression of rights, spite, and revenge. Odd that so many with Catholic upbringing or background are such bigots -- Conway, Hannity, O'Reilly, Spicer, and the old right-wing Catholic males of the SCOTUS.
22
Gee Termon, I was with you until you got to the anti-Catholic part - can I suggest that there are plenty of bigots represented in all the world's great religions...
4
Of course there are. But those prominent on the SCOTUS are Catholic. Hannity and O'Reilly too.
Dumping the TPP is a big mistake. You can't pretend that somehow if you don't participate globalization is going to go away. China can't believe their good fortune.
14
I prefer to look at it this way
We are...
T Minus
47 months 28 days
until the end of his term.
Hopefully we can survive the stupidity that he is unleashing upon the world until then...
We are...
T Minus
47 months 28 days
until the end of his term.
Hopefully we can survive the stupidity that he is unleashing upon the world until then...
11
And what about the stupidity he is unleashing upon us????
4
You have more faith than I do if you think Trump won't be re-elected.
Trump isn't just unleashing his own stupidity upon the world. He is channeling the stupidity of millions of others. A lightning rod for all of the bad ideas in what used to be the dark corners of America, but now are in the spotlight.
Trump isn't just unleashing his own stupidity upon the world. He is channeling the stupidity of millions of others. A lightning rod for all of the bad ideas in what used to be the dark corners of America, but now are in the spotlight.
4
@Ben
Maybe that's why it's called "The Audacity of Hope"....
Maybe that's why it's called "The Audacity of Hope"....
2
Allow me to remind my fellow Democrats that Hillary was against TPP...after she was for it.
I'm definitely no fan of Trump, but...give credit where credit is due. Good job, Mr. Trump.
Now, onto NAFTA!
I'm definitely no fan of Trump, but...give credit where credit is due. Good job, Mr. Trump.
Now, onto NAFTA!
36
I'm well aware she was against TPP, and that may have been one of her few negatives, in my mind. If the whole thing falls apart, the countries involved may slide away from their commitment to protections for the environment and workers, giving them an unethical advantage in pricing (until environmental degradation and social unrest catch up with them, of course). Or they may become the EU to our Brexit, and we'll be left paddling our own canoe while everyone else prospers.
Here we go downwards internationally, as the ignorant "but only I am always right" Dictator Trump - in the making, begins his attack on Our USA Democracy and our global partners. He must be Impeached quickly somehow! Impeachment Marches perhaps?
4
Thus paving the way for China to become dominant economically in the region with the largest population in the world and the most new markets. America first means making America second in stature and losing its influence and power.
What a lousy deal from a businessman who specialized in lousy deals (which, however, served him at the expense of others).
What a lousy deal from a businessman who specialized in lousy deals (which, however, served him at the expense of others).
8
And so begins the fall of U.S. influence around the world and the rise of China. Does Trump get his debt cancelled with China banks after this signing?
11
Trump doesn't know or care that there's a whole world out there which will continue on with or without the USA's involvement. If doing business with the USA becomes too expensive, the rest of the world will just shrug and move on, most likely with China.
5
Given that much of China's economy depends on doing business with the US and US companies, that seems unlikely.
8
Why does the NYT want to characterize this as a blow to Obama's legacy as the headline? Why not instead report the facts of what this change is and what impact it may have on the country and the economy and stop making it about Obama.
28
This is what I don't get: companies outsourced manufacturing to Southeast Asia and China because the workers there make about $1.75 an hour. Now Trump wants to bring these jobs back to to the US where Americans make over 7.00 - 29.00 an hour.
So if we start manufacturing say, clothes, here again, won't the prices of the products go up? Our culture requires us to shop, shop until we drop; not buying clothes as we due causally, and whimsically now, will hurt the economy, no?
Trump, as someone mentioned in one of the comments above, that he makes feel-good pronouncements to placate his base, but what happens when his plans, based on these feel good solutions, come to fruition and prices go sky high? Of course, he probably will solve it by subsidies to American companies, but who will ultimately pay for those subsidies? Guess who?
I'm no economist, but this is how I see it.
So if we start manufacturing say, clothes, here again, won't the prices of the products go up? Our culture requires us to shop, shop until we drop; not buying clothes as we due causally, and whimsically now, will hurt the economy, no?
Trump, as someone mentioned in one of the comments above, that he makes feel-good pronouncements to placate his base, but what happens when his plans, based on these feel good solutions, come to fruition and prices go sky high? Of course, he probably will solve it by subsidies to American companies, but who will ultimately pay for those subsidies? Guess who?
I'm no economist, but this is how I see it.
8
I don't have an issue paying more for an American made product if it employs more Americans. Why are you against that?
1
People will quit buying tons of stuff they don't need. I shifted my purchases away to American or high quality a couple years ago, and yeah, I spend a lot more now on what I do get. But guess what-- I actually save more money now. Quality over quantity.
3
I'm not against that at all. It's just that most Americans most don't buy a few good, well made pieces of clothing at higher prices. We are conditioned to buy new stuff, relatively cheaply, constantly because it fuels the economy. The fashion industry makes sure we want the "latest" style in order to have us buy new things. We are a nation of shoppers because it keeps our economy going. I'm just bringing up the cheaper imports because it's a problem for the American mindset - perpetual consumers to not buy the latest style - and, a problem for the economy. Built in obsolescence is good for profit.
I'm glad that Trump has fulfilled a campaign promise to dump the TPP. Corporate "free trade" is implicated in virtually every one of the pathologies coursing through our body politic. One thing that concerns me is that in his inaugural Address Trump argued that through corporate "free trade" we have given away our wealth to the world and to other countries. I think, however, that corporate "free trade" is a system devised to take middle class paychecks out of their pockets and to transfer them to American millionaires and billionaires, not to "the world" in general. That's why the American rich and the self-appointed "elites" favor it.
12
Trump's rejection of the TPP is highly unfortunate, but this particular Obama legacy was doomed from the get-go no matter who among the 2016 batch of presidential wannabes ultimately took the White House. All three finalists were swept up in thrall to the demonization of global trade as the source of our economic dyspepsia. A Democrat in the Oval Office would have done no better.
In effect, the TPP promised to civilize many current trade-related abuses, most particularly of the environment, labor and children. Ironically, failure to conclude this pact bodes poorly for the rate of economic growth on which the economic health of all nations depend. So, the isolationists won this battle, but America has lost the war. Somewhere in the Great Hall of the People on Tienanmen Square, people are smiling, if not laughing out loud.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
In effect, the TPP promised to civilize many current trade-related abuses, most particularly of the environment, labor and children. Ironically, failure to conclude this pact bodes poorly for the rate of economic growth on which the economic health of all nations depend. So, the isolationists won this battle, but America has lost the war. Somewhere in the Great Hall of the People on Tienanmen Square, people are smiling, if not laughing out loud.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
7
The whole purpose of the TPP was setting standards for mutual trade; things like not having poisons in baby milk. China was the loser in that set of negotiations. It will now be able to throw its weight around to create trade rules more favorable to itself.
Oh yeah!! Trump and his Trumpies will make the world kow-tow to American desires. They are giving away the store out of sheer ignorance.