February 2016
FEATURES
Dear EarthTalk: Why do many
green groups oppose the Trans-
Pacific Partnership (TPP) gov-
erning trade in the Pacific?
– Jane Donahue, Larchmont, NY
The Trans-Pacific Partnership is an
international agreement that seeks
to unite the economic interests of
12 countries that border the Pacific
Ocean by lowering trade tariffs and
establishing an international trade court
to settle disputes.
TPP emerged as a West Coast
equivalent to the proposed Trans-
Atlantic Trade and Investment
Partnership, designed to ease trade
restrictions between the U.S. and
Europe. But TPP has progressed much
faster thanks to the willingness of Pacific
nations to “play ball.”
International negotiators released a
draft of the TPP agreement in October
2015 and are awaiting approvals from
participating governments.
However, despite the theoretical
advantages of more fluid international
trade, the current draft has several
complications that could lead to a variety
of problems for participating nations
and others, meaning its implementation
is far from a sure thing at this point.
Green leaders criticize the Obama
administration and negotiators from
other countries for keeping early talks
on the formation of the TPP closed to
observers and media. Many individuals
and public interest groups requested
access to the discussions, fearing that the
agreement would unfairly favor large
corporations.
However, those appeals were ignored
and the drafted document revealed
what many feel was a prioritization
of corporate interests over health and
environmental concerns. Without
any enforceable guarantees for
environmental protection, the TPP
could actually significantly contribute
to global warming through increased
exportation of U.S. fossil fuel supplies.
Additionally, differences in national
policies regulating chemical use,
artificial fertilizers, and seeds from
genetically modified organisms have
yielded an agreement that encourages
minimal protection.
The nonprofit Public Citizen points out
that existing U.S. regulation of pesticide
and GMO labeling on packaging could
be challenged in the international court
as “trade barriers.”
Another point of contention is the
distinct advantage given to foreign
corporations under the current TPP
model. Overseas firms would be able
to sue the U.S. government over new
policies that disrupt the company’s
“expectations.”
Perhaps more troubling is what is
not included in the document, which
fails to mention how it will protect
from over-harvesting of limited natural
resources.
Green groups point out that, while the
TPP accounts for nearly a third of global
fish harvest, there are no provisions
to protect against overfishing. The
draft also barely mentions enforceable
safeguards of endangered species
products, such as elephant ivory.
Yet another issue critics say is woefully
ignored is social justice. With free-trade
opening up, even more American jobs
would be sent overseas to reduce costs.
Economists estimate that five million
U.S. jobs could shift oversees under
the TPP, resulting in serious pay cuts
for American workers. Meanwhile,
the richest 10 percent would profit at
even higher rates, adding to an already
drastic U.S. wealth inequality.
Clearly, the current draft of the TPP
agreement needs a lot of work before
Congress should even consider it. Those
opposed to the current version of the
TPP can voice their dissatisfaction by
signing onto the Stop the Trans-Pacific
Partnership petition on MoveOn.org,
or by urging your representatives in
Congress to vote against it altogether.
Contacts: TPP Page, https://ustr.
gov/tpp; Public Citizen, www.citizen.
org. MoveOn.org’s Stop the Trans-
Pacific Partnership Petition, www.
petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-the-
trans-pacific.
EarthTalk® is produced by Doug Moss &
Roddy Scheer and is a registered trademark
of Earth Action Network Inc. View past
columns at: www.earthtalk.org. Or e-mail
us your question: earthtalk@emagazine.com.
The Southwest Portland Post • 7
Activists in Leesburg, Virginia want Congress to just say no to the TPP given the potential
social justice and environmental implications of the trade agreement.
(Photo courtesy of Global Trade Watch, FlickrCC)
Ice storm glazes Southwest
(Continued from Page 3)
(Photos by Allison McGillvray)
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