Monday, June 03, 2013

TPP finally made The Times

I should say that for the first time a negative article about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has appeared in a major publication, as far as I can tell.  The TPP is a major agreement that in the words of United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk “will create binding policies on future Congresses in numerous areas,” including “those related to labor, patent and copyright, land use, food, agriculture and product standards, natural resources, the environment, professional licensing, state-owned enterprises and government procurement policies, as well as financial, healthcare, energy, telecommunications and other service sector regulations.”  Yet, the Obama administration has been keeping it secret.  

It has yet to allow Congress to attend negotiations as observers, which is common with such an agreement, or to see the text of the draft agreement. The Administration wants the agreement to be given fast-track treatment on Capitol Hill. Under this extraordinary and rarely used procedure, Obama could sign the agreement before Congress voted on it. And Congress’s post-facto vote would be under rules limiting debate, banning all amendments and forcing a quick vote. 

And Obama continues to talk about transparency.  Why hasn't the major media given this any real attention?


No comments: