The Trans Pacific Trade Deal Stumbled. Now Is the Time to Walk Away

[eridani]

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/08/03/trans-pacific-trade-deal-stumbled-now-time-walk-away

The TPP negotiations are completely secret, despite massive implications on nearly every aspect of our society and economy—including health, agriculture, government services and internet freedoms. What we do know has largely been learned from documents leaked by whistleblowers.

Yet the longer the negotiations drag on, the more chance there is that democracy will save us from the TPP. The Canadian election is coming up in October and conservative leader Stephen Harper—currently fighting for his political life—is under pressure from farmers on the TPP. Canadians must raise the TPP as a key election issue, with candidates and political parties making their positions clear.

Elections are important moments for citizens to have a say in the direction of their country. Informed decision can only be made with proper information. The text of the deal must be released so the public can properly debate and make up their minds before they go to polls. It is time to open the TPP up to democracy and for people to have a say.

The US presidential election season is also starting and will put more public pressure on this issue. If the TPP is not finalised by September it could get pushed back to 2017 or stalled indefinitely. The Democrats do not want this divisive issue to dominate, as the majority of democratic senators voted against President Obama's bill to fast track the trade agreement. The more people hear about this deal the more they dislike it, and in 2016 many members of congress will be reluctant to cast a controversial vote for fear of losing their seats.

<snip

Just last week, Canadian mining giant Gabriel Resources announced that it would seek arbitration against Romania for not allowing a gold mine that would have destroyed four mountains and created a giant cyanide pool. Romania is now facing the prospect of hundreds of millions of dollars in fines for doing the right thing, protecting its people and its environment.

[elehhhhna]

1. And Romania environmental laws pretty much suck to begin with

At least for oil and gas operators...

[Hydra]

2. Sad, isn't it?

They're demanding the right to be absolutely above the law, no matter how frail it already is.

[elehhhhna]

5. companies have relocated their Corp. offices

To other countries in order to gain standing to "use" governments for the right to exploit humans and resources.

Just recently a co relocated to Hong Kong for this. . .

[Buns_of_Fire]

3. Even though Australia and New Zealand aren't too happy either,

the Masters of the Universe have invested too much at this point to walk away.

Robb <Andrew Robb, Australia's Trade Minister> has laid the blame for the failure to come to an agreement with the “big four” economies of the US, Canada, Japan and Mexico. “The sad thing is, 98% is concluded,” he said.

“While we didn’t quite get there, we are definitely on the cusp.”

Concerns around automotives, data protection of biologics, dairy and sugar remain sticking points, but they are not impossible to resolve, Robb said.

“From my reading, the issues are not intractable and there remains a real determination to conclude the TPP among all parties.”

New Zealand has said it will not back a deal that does not significantly open dairy markets, with an eye to the US, Japan and Canada, as well as Mexico.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/aug/01/australia-walks-away-from-trans-pacific-partnership-trade-deal-talks

[Romulox]

4. They'll keep shoving this down our throats until they get what they want, imo. nt