Why We’re Still Fighting the Last War on Trade Policy

[eridani]

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2014/12/31/why-were-still-fighting-last-war-trade-policy

The other day, President Obama spoke to 100 top CEOs from the Business Roundtable. He was asked about two huge new trade deals, favored by global companies, known as TPP and TTIP. The President taunted critics of our failing trade policy, telling them, "Stop fighting the last war."

That sounds patronizing. Is it true that companies trying to manufacture in America, workers, communities and environmentalists need the President to explain their interests to them, as if 25 years of lived experience with NAFTA-style trade deals haven't been sufficiently clear?

Another interpretation is that the President believes his huge new trade deals really are different - that they are the 21st century agreements he has been promising. In this interpretation, his message is, "Trust me! These deals will be great."

Are TPP and TTIP just the next two laps in the race to the bottom?

Let's consider that. He is negotiating these deals in secret. He spoke in a room of 100 top CEOs, defending their interests. The precise language is being written under the guidance of legions of corporate lobbyists, who advise the US Trade Representative. Congress and a few non-business specialists have very limited access, but almost no influence and they are sworn not to reveal what they see.

[msongs]

1. thanks obama. with friends like him who needs enemies on these issues nt

[SamKnause]

2. Is President Obama pushing the TPP because he sincerely

thinks it will be good for the workers in the U.S. and the other countries that will sign it ?????

Is President Obama lying and knows that this will devastate U.S. workers, their wages, their unions and the workers in countries that sign it ???

He is either telling the truth or lying.

How many jobs have been lost since President Obama signed the Free Trade Agreement with South Korea ? (60,000)

Did President Obama know that Colombia has the worst record for squashing the rights of workers, killing union members and organizers before he signed the Free Trade Agreement with them ?

Is President Obama pro union ??

Maybe he is anti union.

This could explain why he could not find his walking shoes when the unions in the U.S. needed his voice and support.

President Obama is either poorly informed or is lying.