TPP Trade Pact Leak Details Special Rights for Corporations

Published online by Citizens Trade Campaign, the document shows that TPP negotiators are considering allowing foreign companies operating in the United States to challenge American laws, regulations and court decisions in an international tribunal. That tribunal would then have the authority to overrule American rulings on the environment, labor, consumers and other issues.

CWA, the Sierra Club and Citizens Trade Campaign are working together to demand transparency and accountability in the negotiations. Currently the closed door negotiations include corporate lobbyists, but no representatives of workers or the public interest. Called “NAFTA on steroids,” this trade pact could be the largest free trade agreement in the history of the United States. The deal now includes Chile, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Singapore, but Canada, Mexico and Japan also want to join.

During the last round of TPP negotiations, held in May in Addison, Texas, CWAers and allies delivered  42,000 petitions to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

The next major round of TPP negotiations will be held in San Diego July 2-10. CWA and our allies will be there.