US Government's Own Report Shows Toxic TPP "Not Worth Passing"

[Judi Lynn]

Thursday, May 19, 2016

US Government's Own Report Shows Toxic TPP "Not Worth Passing"

'This report indicates the TPP will produce almost no benefits, but inflict real harm on so many workers.'

Deirdre Fulton, staff writer

The government's own assessment of the toxic Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) shows that the controversial trade deal will produce negligible economic benefits while damaging most Americans' jobs and wages.

The U.S. International Trade Commission's (ITC) report (pdf), issued Wednesday, shows that the TPP "would likely have only a small positive effect on U.S. growth," Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, the ITC estimates a worsening balance of trade for 16 out of 25 U.S. agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors that cover vehicles, wheat, corn, auto parts, titanium products, chemicals, seafood, textiles and apparel, rice, and even financial service. Indeed, output in the manufacturing sector would be $11.2 billion lower with TPP than without it in 2032, the ITC found, with employment down 0.2 percent. And while vehicle production would gain, auto parts, textiles, and chemicals would see reductions, the trade panel said.

The analysis also estimates the proposed 12-nation trade deal—a centerpiece of President Barack Obama's economic agenda—will increase the U.S. global trade deficit by $21.7 billion by 2032.

More:
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/19/us-governments-own-report-shows-toxic-tpp-not-worth-passing

[Hoyt]

1. A "small positive effect" may well be better than doing nothing. I suggest people read the

actual 788 page report rather than some "reporter's" analysis because it says nothing like the headline.