I've written about the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) a few times. It is a proposed treaty favored by Obama. In my opinion - and that of many others - it is not good for this country. The example of Pacific Rim's attempt to mine in El Salvador is, I think, indicative of what will happen under TPP, except that there will be more legal arguments for Pacific Rim should TPP pass.
Pacific Rim seeks to mine gold in El Salvador and obtained license for preliminary mining explorations. However, after the license was granted, it came to light that full fledged mining will cause cyanide to enter the watershed of the Rio Lempa, which provides water to half the population of El Salvador. Thus, the government did not approve Pacific Rim's environmental impact assessment. In fact, three successive presidents have said no.
Pacific Rim has sued El Salvador before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, part of the World Bank Group in Washington. The company is asking for over $300 million or the right to mine. Current laws allow such a suit if they contend that government actions threaten their future profits. This case will be heard by arbitrators, not a judge. Legal precedents need not be followed. And everything will be private.
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