Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations stall again

[FarCenter]

The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade disagreement talks continue to resemble a slow-motion train wreck, with the latest round of negotiations apparently stalled over agricultural subsidies.

According to Reuters, the latest round of talks in Singapore ground to a halt because America and Japan are butting heads over the latter's protectionist attitude towards rice, wheat and meat production.

However, the list of contentious points is larger than that, suggesting that in spite of sanguine statements from participants, movement behind closed doors remains slow. The New York Times states that intellectual property provisions remain controversial, along with rules covering state-owned enterprises and government procurement.

Hopes that an agreement would be ready for US President Barack Obama to wave around on a visit to the region in April appear to have been dashed, since the next meeting of ministers hasn't been scheduled.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/02/26/tpp_negotiations_stall_again/

[WillyT]

1. Is There Any Way We Could Just Get It To Die ???

[Renew Deal]

3. Are there 50 votes in the senate?

[Renew Deal]

2. I haven't seen anyone give a credible explanation of how this will benefit american workers.

[BlueStreak]

4. Easy. The same way the Keystone pipeline benefits Americans and America.

It doesn't. Why would you even ask such a question? The question is how it benefits the richest people in the world. For that question, I can give you a credible explanation.

[Hoyt]

5. Yet, we crucify Obama as if he's already sneaking it through Congress.

This agreement is far from complete.

[Art_from_Ark]

6. Obama has been pushing for fast track for TPP

That is the reason for the criticism.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/31/business/reid-pushes-back-on-fast-track-trade-authority.html?_r=0

[Hoyt]

7. Congress has to approve fast track, and they won't.

Even then, Congress would still have to vote to approve agreement. Won't happen.

[Art_from_Ark]

8. So why is he even pushing for fast track?

Therein lies the problem. Even Harry Reid is uncomfortable with that, while the Republicans seem to be fine with it.

[Hoyt]

9. Probably because it is very difficult to negotiate any agreement if the other folks don't think

you can get it approved. Might as well not even try.


I agree with what Obama said in SOTU -- "We need to work together on tools like bipartisan trade promotion authority to protect our workers, protect our environment, and open new markets to new goods stamped, ‘Made in the USA,’. . . . . . “Look, China and Europe aren’t standing on the sidelines. Neither should we.”

Obviously, that does not mean I support anything that comes out of any agreement, but it is smart to try to negotiate something.

[Art_from_Ark]

10. I saw the TPP debated in the Japanese Parliament

The left, or what's left of the left in Japan, is absolutely against it. The right-wingers are in favor of it.

Here is one reason why the Japanese left is against it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4424473