politics

Pacific trade ministers trying to seal TPP trade pact

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China is the elephant in the room that is pushing this pact through.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Just the opposite, this is meant to take economic power away from China.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

There is an unspoken rule from US politicians - advocate for the common; work for the rich. They have to say issues concerning people (Democrat talks poor; Republican talks middle class) but need to deliver for those who pays. TPP is NOT a free trade but a corporate control deal. Trump is right on these "free trade" agreements - it needs to be "FAIR trade" so we don't end up on the short end of the deal.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

If the TPP is a good thing, let them discuss things out in the open. It's this secrecy that scares people. Hopefully, it won't go through.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

"pharmaceutical industry LOBBYISTS from various countries and civil society activists gathered at the same Atlanta hotel to defend their interests."

One of the very core reasons for not supporting the TTP, professional bribery "lobbyists" are the ones shaping every agreement. How can this still be called "free" trade"? It's just a name, without ANY truth to it.

"But the details of the talks are couched in deep secrecy, drawing the ire of civil society groups who, citing some leaked preliminary texts, say they are likely to help businesses while hurting ordinary people."

More reason to not trust the TTP, almost total secrecy.

Only the most powerful corporations, politicians, lobbyists and the elite are free to hear the details and mold & make the agreement. Someone please explain how this is considered free trade??

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@Stuart hayward

Someone please explain how this is considered free trade??

I agree with your points and find what I think is going on disconcerting. Re the powers that are using "free trade", the cynic in me says that the cynics calling it free trade know that it's a meme with good connotations and believe that most people will just stop there. They'll hear free trade, which they think is a positive and not reason any further, just go back to watching whatever's on the telly.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

What started as an agreement among Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore to reduce all trade tariffs to zero by the year 2015 has been hijacked by duplicitous and selfish players with no good faith and so it should be abandoned. Kudos to the original four. Shame on the rest, especially the US and Japan.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

YubaruOCT. 01, 2015 - 07:17AM JST China is the elephant in the room that is pushing this pact through.

What elephant are you speaking of because so far I haven't seen any Chinese officials in the room? I'm not arguing, I just haven't found a single link showing their presents in any of the resent TTP meetings.

From what I've read, Im leaning more towards agreeing with Richards comment, but I welcome your input.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

market openings to Australia and New Zealand dairy products

Yes, please, particularly for Japan. I'm curious what Aus/NZ dairy products would be going to the U.S., other than cheeses.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Aly Rustom Hopefully, it won't go through. your last comment read "I'm still betting it won't go through" whats happened since then, your confidence has dropped or you can finally see that the TPP is inevitable!? Not long now.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

China has not been invited to join the TPP - too much state interference in their marketplaces.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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