Obama says trade deal lets US write the rules, not China
Source: AFP
BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) -- President Barack Obama says the U.S. must write the rules of the global economy now, while it's in a position of economic strength.
If it doesn't, Obama says, "China will." And he says that would give Chinese workers the upper hand and lock Americans out of jobs.
Obama made his case for international trade pacts Friday at the Beaverton, Oregon, headquarters of the giant clothing and shoe company Nike. But he also met with Oregon small business leaders. He says small companies make up 98 percent of U.S. exporters and benefit from open markets.
The president acknowledges that many of his fellow Democrats oppose the 12-nation Trans-Pacific trade deal because they worry it will hurt American workers.
Obama says, "Some of my dearest friends are wrong. They're just wrong."
Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-says-trade-deal-lets-171614953.html
Just wrong, dearest friends?
hollysmom
(5,946 posts)Beauregard
(376 posts)Don't bother your pretty little head with it.
AZ Mike
(468 posts)It's in negotiation right now. When the agreement is finalized, it will be posted publicly for a commentary period.
That said, I am anti-trade deals in general.
Sgt Preston
(133 posts)Not the most democratic way to do things, is it?
AZ Mike
(468 posts)We're a representative democracy. So, this is being negotiated in accordance with that theory.
Non-protectionism (e.g., trade deals) are a scourge on our economy, but our government is acting on our behalf (though possibly not in our interests) in a proper, technical way.
I'm ready for that commentary period to begin. Then we'll see how the government regards our comments. I'm not optimistic, but procedurally that's what we are left to wait for.
Sgt Preston
(133 posts)Is THAT the excuse you're going to give? The Republican bumper sticker slogan that we are a "Republic, not a Democracy"? That's disgusting. Your President has the DISCRETION to invite public participation and discussion in these matters. Surely even you understand that, AZ.
AZ Mike
(468 posts)....would be really practical and effective.
Beauregard
(376 posts)Ignore.
rock
(13,218 posts)What to do? What to do?
olegramps
(8,200 posts)This was contained in the NAFTA and has been a disaster. Basically it puts Americans at risk to provide ridiculous compensation if our laws should conflict with the interest of the foreign investor. Take for example that a foreign investor buys a property that is zoned for only buildings of a certain height. They submit plans for a structure that doesn't conform to the building codes. They then can sue to claim that the law prevented them from makes some ridiculously claimed loss of business. There are nearly one billion dollars in pending suits under the NAFTA agreement pending. Guess who has to pay for the supposed loss, the United States tax payer. My understanding is that this trade agreement would go even further in allowing the settlement to be made by a secret trade commission thereby dodging the courts.
The same goes for the trade infractions. When unions objected to the practice of dumbing and unfair labor practices, they have been tied up in the courts for years with no settlement in sight. Meanwhile, the offending foreign manufacture floods the market and kills thousands of American workers jobs driving the manufacturing plant into bankruptcy. This is only the tip of the iceberg.
Sgt Preston
(133 posts)joshcryer
(62,536 posts)This is so silly. It's actually slanted in FAVOR of the USA.
olegramps
(8,200 posts)joshcryer
(62,536 posts)Which is preposterous. If the USA lost a case it will have fucked up bad. Child slavery or something.
olegramps
(8,200 posts)It would be taken out of the hands of the courts and be decided by a secret panel of appointed arbitrators. This is of major concern to some of the some of the commentators that I have read. You seem to be in favor of the trade agreement, however, you neglect to address the issues that other agreements have caused. Namely, the concerns of the unions that have filled grievances that have not been settled after years. I definitely oppose Fast Tracks since it would not allow any amendments to the trade agreement and could only be voted up or down. With the control of congress by the Republicans that would almost insure it passage.
joshcryer
(62,536 posts)Which is based in Washington D.C. and run by US judges and lawyers. There's a reason the US has never once lost an ISDS case. Because the odds are stacked incredibly in our favor.
I am not in favor of the trade agreement, I think that ultimately it sets back the environment by at least a decade by the intellectual property provisions. If the environmental sections left room for better bargaining power for developing countries, then yes, I would would feel it was worth chancing it (in the end automation will take over in like 10-15 years, TPP is literally nothing on the scheme of things in that vein). But because the intellectual property provisions essentially kill any renewable buildout in developing countries, it's a waste of time, and not going to achieve anything.
The secret panels are a feature of TPP, because it guarantees an outcome in favor of the US. Unless the US is doing egregious practices like slave labor, the US is going to win every single one of the ISDS cases. Every time, without fail. We have a better judicial system, we have better lawyers, we have judges who are biased in our favor. The whole point, literally, of ISDS, is to keep the US from having to pay out to other countries. Because really, what countries in TPP have better environmental, intellectual property, or trade standards than the US? None of them. This actually explains why AU got an exemption under the ISDS part, because one of our companies sued them to oblivion and they lost (Phillip Morris).
ISDS is a damn red herring. The focus should be on how TPP does not offer true environmental protection. But since protecting the environment is so last decade, no one gives a shit.
FarrenH
(768 posts)with American *companies* winning ISDS cases. ISDS cases under existing bilateral agreements have allowed American companies to continue deplorable business practices abroad, which in turn has contributed to job losses in the USA.
joshcryer
(62,536 posts)She thinks that somehow magically some TPP partner can sue the US over pollution or some such nonsense. It's completely absurd.
Yes, ISDS favors the US and US corporations (to the detriment of the third world), but Warren does not argue that, she doesn't say it's bad because it shafts any country whose standards aren't up to the US's standards (which many developing countries are far behind).
She should make that case rather than pull out this red herring about boilerplate ISDS language.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)tridim
(45,358 posts)There are proposals. Secret proposals which, once agreed upon, cannot be modified. Congress will have to vote up or down on a done deal.
peacebird
(14,195 posts)No deal that isn't American worker friendly. Period.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)And these attempts at "selling" the TPP are starting to make me embarrassed for him.
tridim
(45,358 posts)peacebird
(14,195 posts)That combo one/two punch says TPP is BAD to me, and Obama wants it passed without letting us see the details.
ibegurpard
(17,081 posts)Because he fought progressives on including a public option in the ACA.
That's just two.
lark
(26,081 posts)You are just embarassing yourself. We know you sold out on this, quit trying to draw lipstick on this huge gross hog.
djean111
(14,255 posts)How could he say "up to 10,000 jobs, over 10 years," with a straight face?
subterranean
(3,762 posts)"Up to" 10,000 jobs means they'll be able to say they kept their promise even if they create only one job.
frylock
(34,825 posts)Demeter
(85,373 posts)
SamKnause
(14,896 posts)Love it !!!!!!!
mother earth
(6,002 posts)Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Demeter
(85,373 posts)Beauregard
(376 posts)Or were you speaking ex cathedra? You know, like the Pope.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)StandingInLeftField
(972 posts)The logical and factual brilliance of this cogent argument is stunning!
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)they are playing politics and darn near lying for votes and support.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)It can't be "self-explanatory" by definition, because it doesn't explain anything.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)our definition of progress. Don't think most here are ready to do that.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)If the TPP is so great, why do you have to make things up in order to defend it?
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)arcane1
(38,613 posts)"Because I said so" isn't good enough.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)arcane1
(38,613 posts)He has so far failed to do so. You haven't done any better.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)stillwaiting
(3,795 posts)I'm sure it will make a fascinating OP.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)Hoyt
(54,770 posts)We don't need to renegotiate NAFTA, which the TPP does, we are just fine doing nothing. I disagree .
frylock
(34,825 posts)FIFY
Trajan
(19,089 posts)What definition of progress needed to be re defined, and what is the RE-definition of progress?
Please provide some clues for your mysterious assertions ...
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)jeff47
(26,549 posts)This agreement will not "open new markets for our goods". It will open new markets for our capital. Letting that capital create jobs in those other countries instead of creating jobs in the US.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)properly.
Yeah, Congress is going to start taxing foreign subsidiaries any day now. Any day now. Any day now. Here it comes. Any day now....
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)from trade.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)Seriously. I want to hear your plan for taxing a company that exists only in Vietnam. It never leaves Vietnam. It never sells any products or services in the US. No person who works for that company ever sets foot inside US territory. They own a factory in Vietnam, and make shoes. They make billions in income because a US investor gave them the start-up money to sell shoes to China and India.
Now explain how you tax it from the US. Go ahead. I'm all ears.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)For example, the Nikes come back here and Nike gets taxed here for their profits made in this country.
Besides, do you have something against some Vietnamese making a few bucks making shoes. I think we owe it to them.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)And if the TPP required all goods to be sold in the US, that might work. But that wouldn't exactly be "free trade", now would it?
There's no particular reason why the goods have to be sold in the US. And with the massive markets in China and India, there's little reason to assume the goods have to come back to the US.
Do you have something against factory workers in the US? I think we owe them an economy that can produce jobs for them, instead of shoveling capital out of the US.
pipoman
(16,038 posts)In the us for $300 that cost $1.50 to produce? That Nike? They'll be taxed, the shoes will now be $330, the labor living in thatch huts drinking dirty water shopping in the company store will still be doing exactly that....organized US labor should have multiple seats in the negotiations...instead all seats are occupied by big multinational corporate interests...any Democrat who argues for this isn't really interested in labor, in the US or anywhere else on the planet....#thelaborpartyisdead2016
Sgt Preston
(133 posts)Which is all that really matters. But I guess you know that, huh?
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p550/ar01.html
jeff47
(26,549 posts)Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Sgt Preston
(133 posts)Hoyt, you are a crackup!
Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)It still sounds better in the original Italian.
Democracy is hardly intended to make lemmings out of citizens.
How are we citizens writing the rules to an agreement we can't see? What are they doing that's so good for us?
I voted for Obama twice. At least the first time it was because he promised transparency. The second time it was because he was still better than a vulture capitalist. What has been leaked of this deal doesn't look like anything that's good for Americans or most people in the world. It looks like a blueprint for corporate tyranny.
If "we" don't write the rules, then China will write the rules is a false dichotomy. The "we" of whom Obama speaks doesn't include the American people or any other person made of flesh and blood. It makes precious little difference to me whether the Chinese Communist Party or a cabal of greedy, power hungry capitalist write the rules. It's still rule by elites. It's still tyranny. I stand with another "we", the we who aren't having any of this bullshit.
Geronimoe
(1,539 posts)I don't see global corporations that do not pay US taxes or their lawyers and lobbyist as being the US. They are the ones who wrote the secret deal.
The President obviously thinks they are the US and he is working for them, as their President.
Obama's comments says all we need to know about who he realy works for, and it sure isn't American citizens.
sendero
(28,552 posts).... and it amazes me that some still refuse to see it. Obama works for his corporate masters, to be fair, just like the last several presidents.
Anyone that thinks that ANY president of the US cares one whit what you need or want is a very naive person. Maybe 50 years ago.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)If only he could, you know, explain why we're wrong.
hedda_foil
(16,985 posts)Which is how we went from being citizens or voters to consumers.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)CharlotteVale
(2,717 posts)+1
If this is about American Jobs, then why isn't he in Maine at Reebok?
Sorry edited to add "at Reebok"
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)StandingInLeftField
(972 posts)negotiators are not just going to sit back and allow the US to dictate terms. More likely a room full of corporate lawyers representing all the major players are going to hammer out the best deal for the toughest negotiator.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)Autumn
(48,962 posts)No contest there. Bernie and Liz.
SamKnause
(14,896 posts)Sherrod Brown
Robert Reich
Roy Rolling
(7,632 posts)By the term "U.S." I mean the biggest multinational corporations who own the U.S. government will write the rules.
Rest easy, it will all be over soon . . .
Roy Rolling
(7,632 posts)SamKnause
(14,896 posts)yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)The TPA fast track, what we are negotiating for, TPA synopsis and bill at link.
Is "You lie!" really our position?
Democratic Senator Max Baucus on new trade promotion authority:
The TPA legislation that we are introducing today will make sure that these trade deals get done, and get done right. This is our opportunity to tell the Administration and our trading partners what Congress negotiating priorities are, Baucus said. TPA legislation is critical to a successful trade agenda. It is critical to boosting U.S. exports and creating jobs. And its critical to fueling Americas growing economy.
Every President since FDR has sought trade promotion authority from Congress because of the job-creating benefits of trade. Renewing TPA will help advance a robust trade agenda that will help American businesses, workers, farmers and ranchers by giving them greater access to overseas markets, said Hatch. This bipartisan legislation helps meet the challenges of todays competitive global economy and will play a key role in getting our nation out of years of economic stagnation by spurring economic growth and greater opportunity. From increasing protections for digital trade and data flows to enforcing strong U.S. intellectual property rights, this legislation will be instrumental to ensuring that our countrys current trade negotiations in Asia and Europe are a success and that these agreements meet the high-standards necessary for congressional approval.
The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act will give us the tools we need to move more job-creating trade agreements, Camp said. This legislation will ensure that the Administration is following the rules and negotiating objectives that Congress has set out. In order to achieve the economic growth and job benefits that trade agreements can bring to the U.S., we must first pass strong, bipartisan TPA legislation. I look forward to working with the Administration and with Republicans and Democrats in Congress to enact this bill.
http://www.finance.senate.gov/newsroom/chairman/release/?id=7cd1c188-87f1-4a0b-8856-3fc139121ca9
hedda_foil
(16,985 posts)Haven't been paying much attention, have you?
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yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)Is this Anti-Democratic Underground?
I know everyone hates Obama, Hillary, Baucus...
Sanders is OK - well, no, he's not actually a Democrat.
Well...
Being democratic does not mean one has to support the Democratic Party, especially the establishment wing of said party.
yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)Then there wouldn't be anything left to hate and despise.
Because, you know, we have Republican candidates and a Republican Congress and a right-wing Supreme Court. At least half of us live in red states.
And we spend all our time bashing and defending Democrats.
neverforget
(9,513 posts)by your logic.
yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)Where?
Not on TPP! That would require much more than simple "Just Say No."
Locrian
(4,523 posts)Sad really. The flaw in his thinking (and maybe he really believes it) is that he thinks US companies are still "US Companies" and actually give a damn about people or country.
They couldn't give a rats ass. Sure, they want the TPP to be able to retain some of the power that China has. But ONLY FOR THEIR BENEFIT. Not for the US, for the "global citizens" or ANYONE. It's race to the bottom any way you cut it, and more concentration and hoarding of wealth.
Beauregard
(376 posts)That's a good sound-bite sized summary of the effect of TPP on US wages.
Punx
(474 posts)And has been regardless of previous agreements, so that's not a reason to do this deal. Very naive or uninformed on Obama's part.
I suggest people read the book, Into the Jaws of the Dragon" by Eamonn Fingleton. I find some of his arguments a bit specious and at times perhaps overblown, but good perspective none the less.
msongs
(73,754 posts)wolfie001
(7,667 posts)Seems like we've given up before the negotiations started. How many jobs has that nasty strategy cost us?
elzenmahn
(904 posts)...as I said in another post, the Chinese hold a substantial amount of US debt and are increasingly purchasing American businesses (AND American real estate).
They're already writing the rules. That train left the station a long time ago.
randys1
(16,286 posts)or who is US, NIKE?
Beauregard
(376 posts)He doesn't embarrass me when he goes and talks to foreign leaders, etc. But I hate his pro-corporate policies. I have the feeling that he is trying to screw me. Not me personally, but everybody who works for a living.
Renew Deal
(85,151 posts)And does China have an opinion on TPP?
Kip Humphrey
(4,753 posts)"while it's in a position of economic strength" suggests our economic strength is soon to change and not for the better - something i agree with precisely because the consequence of implementing TPP and TTIP will be a significant decline in US domestic economic strength, US standard of living, US household net worth, US average wage, and US average life expectancy.
JayNev
(23 posts)What exactly is the truth about TPP, and why is Obama pushing so hard, when it obviously is going to damage US workers who are supposed to be the Democratic base? The reason is that Obama knows that Bill Clintons made tens of millions after his presidency from corporations. A similar payoff waits for Obama.
It is mind blowing that Obama who campaigned on creating the most transparent Presidency is now keeping the details of TPP secret due to the fear that it will energize its opponents. It is hard to oppose something without knowing what it is.
The TPP is going to push the US worker down even further. Free trade agreements like NAFTA and MNF for China are the reason why workers wages are stagnant while corporations make record profits.
Back in 2008 voters had a lot of illusions about Obama, but I felt he could not be trusted. His dealings with Exelon had shown he would do corporations bidding.
McCain would have led the US into new foolish wars, but he is too honest to try to pass secret trade agreements. The damage to US workers from free trade agreements is practically permanent. The rotten economy has led to a spike in suicides, especially among middle aged white males. Expect this sorry situation to continue.
Obama likely cares about the US workers, but just not enough to forsake the post presidency millions that wait for him.
Those who fantasize that Warren is the savior should go back and read the things Obama said before the 2008 elections, it sounds a lot like what Warren is saying now.
Beauregard
(376 posts)Those contributions from Wall Street did not come for free. So in deciding policy, he looks to the past as well as to his own lucrative future.
elzenmahn
(904 posts)...is that his entire spiel to those that disagree with him is that they are "just wrong", and that we should "trust him". Remember his MSNBS smooch-fest with Tweety and the other TPP shills a few weeks ago? He tells that group (and us) that he would not support a deal like this without believing that it would benefit American workers/consumers/etc. etc. etc. He is expecting blind trust from the Democrats in the House and Senate and, by extension, from the American people. Any expectation of blind trust, to me, should be met with extreme skepticism.
I can subscribe to the money motivation theory, and would add that he's pushing it this hard, NOW, because:
1. The Tea Freaks haven't woken up yet to this (though it looks like they're starting to);
2. Doing this now, before the election season, reduces its importance as a campaign issue by rendering it a "fete accompli" (forgive my spelling.)
The more the delay, the less the chance of passage. Wake up the Tea Freaks to put heat on enough Repubs, and both the TPP and TPA are dead. Good Riddance, I say.
JayNev
(23 posts)If you really want to ally with the "Tea Party" on this and other issues, a good start may be do drop the name calling.
elzenmahn
(904 posts)...I'll say and write what I please, thank you.
daleo
(21,317 posts)Not "Americans making the rules".
Cha
(319,076 posts)gets lost in all the pitchforks and torches.and those who have nothing but cheap ignorant pot shots over the years.
Kablooie
(19,107 posts)if it was really that good he'd be laying out all the specific points as to how it will help us.
Instead his whole argument is to trust the corporations that are writing this.
With there being such a strong distrust of the 1% today, to base your argument on trusting them is ludicrous.
His whole defense smells to high heaven.
On this point alone I'd go against it.
DCBob
(24,689 posts)than anything else.
mother earth
(6,002 posts)Seems what is just wrong is allowing for this to even be proposed, much less passed.
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)goldent
(1,582 posts)And almost all I know about TPP is what I read on the Internet, mostly from sources with an agenda. That is another way of saying I don't know shit about it.
I'll trust Obama on this one.
GeorgeGist
(25,570 posts)Sounds about right.
candelista
(1,986 posts)So other potential members will be allowed a "peep" or two.
Bradical79
(4,490 posts)The corporate backers like Nike have never been fans of keeping jobs in the U.S. as far as I can tell. Not sure why I should believe this free trade agreement will buck the trend of harming American workers in order to generate more wealth for the wealthiest?
moondust
(21,286 posts)Exactly what kinds of jobs does he anticipate will be created in the U.S. as a result of this thing and how many? Be specific.
How is this good for small business? Be specific.
What happens if corporations everywhere including China choose to simply ignore these "rules" whenever they don't serve their profit maximization/bottom line, i.e. widespread selective compliance? What's the enforcement record for NAFTA, CAFTA, and KORUS FTA?