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think

(11,641 posts)
5. AFL-CIO: "Ten Critical Problems with the Trans-Pacific Partnership"
Mon Jul 4, 2016, 11:18 AM
Jul 2016

The AFL-CIO has done a good job of outlining the major concerns with the TPP that need to be addressed.

Ten Critical Problems with the Trans-Pacific Partnership


The TPP allows currency-manipulating countries to kill U.S. jobs.
The current TPP text doesn’t contain enforceable currency manipulation rules. Countries that intentionally devalue their currency cheat U.S. manufacturers and undermine any benefits from tariff reductions. Enforcing currency manipulation rules is probably the single most effective thing the United States could do to create jobs; in fact, doing so could add as many as 5.8 million jobs.1

The TPP lets foreign corporations bypass U.S. law.

The current TPP text allows multinational companies to challenge U.S. laws, regulations and safeguards through a provision called investor-to-state dispute settlement (ISDS), a private justice system that undermines our democracy. Through ISDS, foreign investors can seek compensation from the United States for enforcing regulations and safeguards designed to protect America’s working families. In fact, multinational companies currently are using ISDS to attack democratic policies and laws in Australia, Canada, Egypt, Peru and Uruguay, among many others.

The TPP allows climate change to go unchecked.

The current TPP text doesn’t contain any enforceable climate change commitments or “border fees” to offset the cost of environment-damaging imports. This undermines our efforts to address climate change and jeopardizes the important U.S.-China bilateral agreement on climate change and clean energy.2 It does nothing to discourage U.S. manufacturers from moving their factories to TPP countries with weak climate regulations. This damages both U.S. jobs and our efforts to address climate change.

The TPP doesn’t strengthen international labor rights protections.
There are extensive, well-documented labor problems in at least four TPP countries (Mexico, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia)3 but the administration has not committed to requiring all countries to be in full compliance with international labor standards before they get benefits under the agreement. Worker rights obligations have never been fully enforced under existing free trade agreements, which have provided too much discretion for worker complaints to be delayed for years or indefinitely (e.g., Honduras, Guatemala). A progressive TPP would eliminate this shortcoming, not repeat it. Given that no administration has ever self-initiated labor enforcement under a free trade agreement, any promise to “strongly enforce” the TPP should be met with skepticism...

Read all ten reasons here:
http://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Trade/Trans-Pacific-Partnership-Free-Trade-Agreement-TPP/Ten-Critical-Problems-with-the-Trans-Pacific-Partnership
Why are so many democrats carrying water for free trade now?? hollowdweller Jul 2016 #1
So the question was Andy823 Jul 2016 #3
You noticed the same thing I am seeing FreakinDJ Jul 2016 #4
This. n/t ms liberty Jul 2016 #6
We are all one happy family now PowerToThePeople Jul 2016 #7
"we" didnt prop wall street that's a wingerish meme "we" are sick of people spouting wingerish memes uponit7771 Jul 2016 #16
QE1, QE2, QE3, QE4, ect ect ect Ring a Fucking Bell FreakinDJ Jul 2016 #47
.that^ 840high Jul 2016 #53
Dogmatic isn't progressive, there's a reason why we do trade and not isolate ourselves uponit7771 Jul 2016 #15
And yet we do major trade boycotts such as the sanctions against South Africa Bluenorthwest Jul 2016 #66
Since when were Democrats about protectionism? Lord Magus Jul 2016 #55
The OP referred to "trade agreements" not "free trade." How would the US pnwmom Jul 2016 #62
Making it really easy to undo would be a start. bemildred Jul 2016 #2
Easy to leave and NOT keep the benefits of the trade agreements? tia... uponit7771 Jul 2016 #17
Of course. "No coercion". That would apply to all participants. nt bemildred Jul 2016 #18
So pretty much Brexit would lower the current GDP of Britain right now seeing they just voted to... uponit7771 Jul 2016 #22
AFL-CIO: "Ten Critical Problems with the Trans-Pacific Partnership" think Jul 2016 #5
These are 5 reasons to be against the TPP. Else You Are Mad Jul 2016 #10
thanks for posting FreakinDJ Jul 2016 #13
This reads whats not to like in TPP, I'm asking for 3 things every trade agreement has to have to... uponit7771 Jul 2016 #19
These are 10 things that should be considered in EVERY trade agreement. think Jul 2016 #25
First off, why is it always from our/USA perspective? What about poor counties who we have not Hoyt Jul 2016 #31
Why should it be the perspective of over 500 US corporate lobbyists & executives? think Jul 2016 #32
I believe many here, view foreign workers as competition, little more than scabs. The hatred shows. Hoyt Jul 2016 #33
Trump supporters might have a disgusting opinion like that but Democrats & Unions want FAIR trade think Jul 2016 #34
How would the USTR address foreign murders? I agree it's revolting, but are we supposed to bomb Hoyt Jul 2016 #35
Bomb them? Good grief. Can we be realistic here and not engage is sensationalization? think Jul 2016 #37
Unions want to restrict competition for their members, and I understand that. Hoyt Jul 2016 #39
You're the only one HERE who keeps calling workers in other countries scabs. think Jul 2016 #44
They are considered scabs when people complain that they will work for less, even if no one Hoyt Jul 2016 #45
Weeping crocodile tears about "the poor" Lydia Leftcoast Jul 2016 #58
Let's assume that's true for a moment, better than not caring about other Hoyt Jul 2016 #59
Because NAFTA has been so good for Mexico? Lydia Leftcoast Jul 2016 #63
Farmers making 50 cents a day are getting jobs at higher pay, some much higher $8/hour at Audi, etc. Hoyt Jul 2016 #64
What if these problems were fixed before anyone attempted to pass this? DemonGoddess Jul 2016 #48
AFL-CIO: "Labor's So-Called "Seat at the Table" at TPP Negotiations" think Jul 2016 #49
Froman has many, many more years as a government official. Unions' position has been clear, no Hoyt Jul 2016 #60
Lots of small businesses and international businesses in FL are in favor of TPP... Sancho Jul 2016 #8
How about Big Pharma's manipulation of Drug Prices FreakinDJ Jul 2016 #12
The TPP won't stop manipulation of drug prices... Sancho Jul 2016 #14
There is only one good reason for a trade deal, RDANGELO Jul 2016 #9
America doesn't have all the resources to everything, the notion that we do is false and I agree.... uponit7771 Jul 2016 #20
My list katsy Jul 2016 #11
Thx for your responce. on 1 what would a country or corp do if they law of the land is lax like the uponit7771 Jul 2016 #21
On 1: i think that resolution remains in the political arena katsy Jul 2016 #30
Not having it written by Lobbyists, All Pacific Rim including China--Right now China benefits most! TheBlackAdder Jul 2016 #23
Enforceable commitments to labor, environmental and regulatory standards. pampango Jul 2016 #24
I agree, our CURRENT displacement laws suck and aren't enforced at all.. corps are ALLOWED to... uponit7771 Jul 2016 #26
I've heard both that labor and environmental standards not enforced well enough, pampango Jul 2016 #27
Pretty much this forjusticethunders Jul 2016 #38
+1 uponit7771 Jul 2016 #41
There are no "three things." PowerToThePeople Jul 2016 #28
So displacement laws strengthed sounds like its at the top of most people's list. Our displacement uponit7771 Jul 2016 #40
I think I agree with this assessment. PowerToThePeople Jul 2016 #42
1. That nation that has the highest human and environmental standards shall dictate all conditions. Alex4Martinez Jul 2016 #29
Since our labor standards are so low, we'll only be "dictating" conditions with Third World pampango Jul 2016 #46
Fair trade AgingAmerican Jul 2016 #36
My 3 things: Amimnoch Jul 2016 #43
I only have one... JSup Jul 2016 #50
I agree, up thread some talked about displacement laws being too lax. If they displacement laws were uponit7771 Jul 2016 #51
I don't care to legitimize nor empower governments that abuse and oppress minority populations. Bluenorthwest Jul 2016 #52
Neither do I. 840high Jul 2016 #54
uponit7771—None. And that is also my answer to the issue of fracking. CobaltBlue Jul 2016 #56
Judicial power of the states involved in disputes should not be diminished The Second Stone Jul 2016 #57
It's too late ibegurpard Jul 2016 #61
Whatever they may be, I can bet they would be 3 things that would imbalance the deal so much as to BobbyDrake Jul 2016 #65
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