Obama's plans for trade deals with Asia and Europe in tatters after Senate vote

[Triana]

Source: The Guardian

Barack Obama’s ambitions to pass sweeping new free trade agreements with Asia and Europe fell at the first hurdle on Tuesday as Senate Democrats put concerns about US manufacturing jobs ahead of arguments that the deals would boost global economic growth.

A vote to push through the bill failed as 45 senators voted against it, to 52 in favor. Obama needed 60 out of the 100 votes for it to pass.

Failure to secure so-called “fast track” negotiating authority from Congress leaves the president’s top legislative priority in tatters.

It may also prove the high-water mark in decades of steady trade liberalisation that has fuelled globalisation but is blamed for exacerbating economic inequality within many developed economies with the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs. Internet activists had said the deal would curb freedom of speech, while other critics charged it would enshrine currency manipulation.


Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/may/12/obama-trans-pacific-partnership-senate-vote

[Thespian2]

1. I believe Democrats

are beginning to wake up...and the senators have noticed...

One great strike for democracy...

[Unvanguard]

2. Seems a bit hyperbolic. Very possible they'll negotiate a deal and pass it through. n/t

[Helen Borg]

3. Yep, probably... The weasel keep weaseling...

[FlatBaroque]

4. Rec'd for

very satisfying post title.

[jalan48]

5. It is interesting to see Obama exposed while carrying water for the Republicans.

[BeyondGeography]

6. Could be he just thinks it's the best possible deal

I, for one, think he's volunteering for punishment again.

As for the rest, your point is unsupported by more than six years of conflict with the GOP and your imagery sucks.

[jalan48]

7. Sorry to upset you. The GOP definately likes the TPP so you can take solace in that.

[msongs]

8. jalan48 - it's not your fault obama describes his policies as those of moderate republicans lol nt

[jalan48]

10. True, though that wasn't exactly what I thought 'Hope and Change' was about.

[BeyondGeography]

15. I think the treaty is a loser

And the only thing being exposed here is the President's occasional tendency to have conversations with himself then proceed directly into battle without the necessary political support.

You think he's being exposed as a closet Republican apparently, which is bullshit.

[jalan48]

17. He's definitely not a closet Progressive. Why would he want to limit the debate on such an important

issue, especially when the agreement itself has been shrouded in secrecy? That, I would say is the bullshit here.

[Sparhawk60]

28. You're Probably Right

But unless he releases the text of the treaty, we will never know. And for me, that is more than enough to oppose the treaty. After all, if the treaty was half as good as he says it is, he would release the details and shout them form the roof tops.

[nashville_brook]

24. Carrying water for the Chamber of Commerce, special interests, lobbyists...how's that?

you know, Republican's best friends.

[BeyondGeography]

25. The same people who have hated him for the duration

of his presidency. There's really nothing else on his mind other than pleasing them.

Very clear thinking on your part.

[Voice for Peace]

26. thank you for that response.

[Unvanguard]

9. How many of Obama's initiatives have Republicans supported? n/t

[jalan48]

11. The Republican's adopted a strategy in 2008 to block and oppose anything Obama put forward,

including even nominations for administrative posts. This is why it's shocking to see him go to bat for a trade agreement which the Republican's love. Why would he be doing the bidding of big multi-nationals and the Chamber of Commerce?

[Unvanguard]

13. Maybe because he thinks the TPP is a good idea.

The general record of his presidency suggests pretty strongly that he's not some water-carrier for the Republicans.

[MissDeeds]

21. Perhaps the question should be

How many Republican initiatives has Obama supported. Once elected he sprinted to the right and has remained there.

[lumberjack_jeff]

12. If passing it in public renders it "in tatters"... okay then. n/t

[Geronimoe]

14. Obama has no clothes

Hoist with his own petard.

[samsingh]

16. something doesn't make sense to me here.

why is our Democratic President championing a trade agreement that we on the left don't like?

what am i missing?

[PSPS]

18. He's a charlatan.

[BrotherIvan]

19. You mean this is the first time you've noticed that he doesn't govern as a liberal?

[turbinetree]

20. Obama

is having a meeting tonight with the fourteen, yes, that is correct (14) democrats who are what with this legislation pro-TPP, and he is trying to salley forth some kind of legislation.
Now is the time as they use to say back in the day is to strike the iron to the fire and keep the pressure up

The free traders will not let this pass for another day and we must stay vigilant-- I still trust Warren on this issue---------------show us the legislation -------------all of it ------------we have a right to know ---------------end of story

[DCBob]

22. Its not dead yet.. Reid proposing a fix..

After President Barack Obama’s own party slammed the brakes on the centerpiece of his trade agenda — also a top priority for the GOP — there were early signs Democrats were considering concessions to revive the fast-track bill. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who rallied his caucus to reject the fast-track measure on a procedural vote, has already floated a plan to find a way out of the impasse by offering to drop a customs bill, which includes anti-currency manipulation language, from his party’s list of demands.

While his initial overture likely won’t settle the issue, and top Republicans said they were skeptical of Reid’s proposal, Democrats’ willingness to return to the bargaining table suggests the trade measure may not be dead. And pro-trade Democrats huddled with the White House on Tuesday evening, as the administration looked for a way forward.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/trade-vote-senate-mitch-mcconnell-117850.html#ixzz3ZyVFVe3e

[Triana]

23. Reid....

...never ceases to be the milquetoast ninny.

[DJ13]

27. It may also prove the high-water mark in decades of steady trade liberalisation that has fuelled glo

Theres nothing "liberal" about damaging your own country's economy to benefit a few wealthy people.