Tensions Run High on US Presidential Campaign Trail as TPP Debate Continues
http://www.ictsd.org/bridges-news/bridges/news/tensions-run-high-on-us-presidential-campaign-trail-as-tpp-debatecantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
Baobab
(4,667 posts)Even if this was the only effect, it would be a disaster for most Americans because drug prices, already astronomical, would continue to rise even more.
But basically these multiple pending trade deals would all have the effect in various ways of blocking innumerable things we need, such as the ability to spend money on creating jobs just in the US, on US businesses. Imagine not being able to help the economy as we did in the 30s-2000s by spending money on job creation? Few Americans even realize procurement and disciplines on domestic regulation to make it work - changing US laws to conform- is in the pipeline.
Under FTAs level playing field, other countries have to get a fair shot at procurement so if they have lower wages than we do, (thats their competitive advantage so they get a right to use it) they and their workers, have a better chance of winning a competitive bid.
Sure, they may have provisons preventing slavery and setting minimal working conditions, but they likely would not be the ones that would be used, our own working condition laws (but perhaps only our minimum wage laws would apply) Imagine a captive doctor or nurse or IT worker or teacher working for eight or even fifteen dollars an hour. Thats a powerful lure for a company, to be able to hire guest worker subcontractors for a fraction of what they would pay a US breadwinner.
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)As long as this remains true - nothing will change for the 99%.