In this April 22, 2014, file photo, a protester holds a placard during a rally against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in Tokyo. The United States is negotiating the ambitious trade agreement with 11 other Pacific Rim countries that s meant to ease barriers to fast-growing Asia-Pacific markets and streamline customs rules. (Shizuo Kambayashi, Associated Press file)
Re: “TPP facing stiff opposition in Congress,” March 22 Ved Nanda column.
While Ved Nanda raises many issues regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, another concern many have with the TPP is the level of secrecy around its provisions, as well as who is at the table negotiating this deal. While nearly 600 corporate advisers are helping draft this massive legislation, almost no environmental and labor groups are present.
In addition, the president should be ashamed for asking Congress to grant him Trade Promotion Authority. This undermines our democracy. It impedes congressional authority. Congress would be abdicating its responsibility to the president.
For a trade deal that is this big, with so many non-trade aspects (investor issues, food security, medical patents, Internet security), Congress needs time to look at the TPP and amend it.
We don’t need another trade deal that is a giveaway to large corporations.
Catherine Raveczky,Boulder
This letter was published in the March 27 edition.
