The New York Times has reported that the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations will see a wrap late July. However, many of the 12 countries still have big issues that need to be solved before this agreement can move forward. Regardless of any issues these countries may have, America is ultimately going to be the biggest loser with this trade deal. We are the largest consumer nation in the world. Countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Japan need our economy to continue thriving. Whatever issues they may have, they will soon get over it since they need us more than we need them.
Regardless, citizens in their countries are protesting against the TPP in the streets and their protests have helped slow down the TPP. People in Japan, Canada, Australia, the U.S., and New Zealand have been up in arms about the TPP. Here are a few reasons as to why:
- Canada doesn’t want to open it’s agriculture market. More specifically their dairy and poultry product. It is so fierce that participants say they may even drop out of the talks completely.
- Australia and New Zealand are concerned over the Intellectual Property chapter in the TPP. More specifically the pharmaceutical patent rules
- Peru is afraid of the rain forest management issue
- Every country is concerned about Chinese components in Vietnam’s textile exports. Also Vietnam’s state-owned enterprises, labor rights, and Vietnam’s desire to lower or eliminate import tariffs on Vietnamese textiles made with yarn from China. China is not part of the TPP.
- Japan wants to continue protecting it’s rice.
- Everyone is concerned about labor rights in Mexico
American’s are concerned about a flood of cheap goods which would put our companies out of business since they can’t compete with competitor prices. American’s are concerned about companies closing up shop in the U.S. and shipping jobs overseas where wage standards are much different than ours.
According to Adrien Krieg, former International Trade Advisory under Reagan and Clinton: “the average wages in America and Canada are about $32.50 per hour. Compare that to China, which is $0.75, India at $0.81, Mexico at $4.04, Japan at $27.80, South Korea at $16.20, or Singapore at $18.72.”
American’s are concerned over the lack of transparency from the Obama administration. All of the TPP negotiations have been held in secret. Obama keeps pushing the TPP and talking about how great it is going to be for America. If it is so great, why can’t we read it? Why can’t our elected officials sit in TPP negotiations?
The other countries are concerned but we need to be concerned the most. Contact your Congressperson and tell them that you do not support the TPP!