Would you vote for a candidate who hid this? A freeze on all future wage increases regardless of CPI

[Baobab]

Very few Americans realize that trade deals all have "standstill" clauses that freeze the current ("autonomous&quot level of "liberalisation" - i.e. deregulation, privatization, meaning that the "autonomous level of liberalisation" at that time becomes a high water mark for public services and no new ones can be established subsequently. yes, seriously. According to these standstill clauses, new non-conforming measures (various forms of what they call discrimination- against corporations) but basically, this means all regulations are frozen after that point unless the government wants to negotiate compensation with any "injured party" (i.e. multinational corporations) ,

seriously! This explains why some candidates come out against increases in minimum wages (trade deals that attempt to open up markets to foreign competition to lower prices - i.e. wages- might claim that any regulation of same was discrimination against their firms and their workers- discrimination against foreign firms. they could challenge any rule that had the effect of reducing foreign trade in services if they could convince the relevant trade body (which might but would not necessarily be the WTO) that those rules were "more burdensome than necessary to ensure the quality of the service"

So, bluntly, both existing and pending trade deals might see increases in the minimum wages, especially new ones right now, as a violation of the spirit and letter of these agreements- which might very well be seen as onerous regulations on trade. Deals we signed as far back as the mid 1990s may be seen as barring future increases in minimum wages apparently, (two arbitral suits have claimed so and neither seem to have lost)

But has this ever been discussed? It has in other countries but here in the US the only place I have seen this brought up was by Elizabeth Warren.

More Info on the effect of ISDS on work and workplaces generally

http://works.bepress.com/matthew_rimmer/178/download/

[haikugal]

1. Thanks for this post...we have much to discuss in this country! K&R and bookmarked! nt

[djean111]

2. This is why no one who worked on the TPP, shilled for the TPP, or voted for Fast Track

will ever get my vote.

These trade deals give corporations sovereignty over governments, pure and simple.

[VulgarPoet]

3. Amen.

[AzDar]

7. ^ This.

[CharlotteVale]

11. Same here.

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. I can't read the materials for download; But, reading the snippet ...

doesn't seem to say what you (or, rather, Rimmer(?)) say it does.

[Avalon Sparks]

5. You seem intelligent

Why not check out Public Citizens .org

And read about the trade agreements?

I'm finding it difficult to dispute most claims and data they present.

[1StrongBlackMan]

6. Thank you. Is the download from Public Citizen.org?

[Baobab]

8. citizen.org is Public Citizens web site

YES-

http://citizen.org

they have a huge amount of stuff on these horrible things. BUT ITS NOT EASY TO FND using their search, Google is much better, learn how to use Google's search operators or use the Google advanced search page..

https://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en


Also policyalternatives.ca is a Canadian NGO that has by far the best written materials on trade deals. Under trade-

Also, Scott Sinclair and Ellen Gould are good authors, if you look under their names- on policyalternatives.ca


Also, bilaterals.org is good too.

[Avalon Sparks]

12. Thankfully another poster provided the link

I'm not sure the download is there, but the site has a lot of I think good info on trade agreement. The site also claims to be unbiased, but who knows.

I'm interested in hearing opinions that dispute some of the negative information about the trade agreements.

Or even someone to share what purpose or motivation the site would have to twist or spin the info.

The site has roots in the consumer group Nader started in the 70's. They kicked him out when he ran for office since they are not associated with political parties or politicians.

I am interested to hear your take. When you have the time Che k it out. No rush

[1StrongBlackMan]

14. Public Citizen is far from being unbiased.

[Avalon Sparks]

15. What's their bias?

Legal suits? Class action suits for consumers.

I've only read their stuff about trade agreements. I double checked as much as I could over a two month period and I'm not able to dispute their data.

I actually read the TPP agreement as well. I understand legalise language.

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. They are advocates, therefore, biased. ...

I actually read the TPP agreement as well. I understand legalise language.

I have, too ... and do legalize for a living.

From what I have read, the vast majority of editorializing on the TPP originate from a couple of (anti-free trade) sources and their representation of the horrors are, at best, sensational exaggerations.

[Avalon Sparks]

17. Ok good to know..

Thanks

[snowy owl]

10. This from the PDF downloaded ...(without reading whole document)

‘The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) proposes to freeze into a binding trade agreement many of the worst features of the worst laws in the TPP countries, making needed reforms extremely difficult if not impossible. The investor state dispute resolution mechanisms should not be shrouded in mystery to the general public, while the same provisions are routinely discussed with advisors to big corporations.’ Professor Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate in Economics

‘Opening Australian governments to lawsuits over resource extraction, foreign land purchases, pharmaceutical benefits and health measures is a potential minefield for the government.’ Peter Martin, Economist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald

‘Investor state dispute settlement (ISDS) is a subsidy for multinational corporations and a tax on everyone else.’ Daniel Ikensen, the Cato Institute

“The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiators should consider the rights of everyone affected by the deal and act in the public interest, not just the special interests of the economic players that stand to benefit the most.” UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Olivier De Schutter, and Kaitlin Cordes

[1StrongBlackMan]

13. That is editorial and not helpful in this discussion.

[Baobab]

18. lots of good links to readable publications- if these dont give you a better understanding of them

I will be very surprised-

Matt Rimmer's two pubs on Trojan Horse Clauses- on bepress are both free and were written for the Australian government and they are very readable

However- Policy Alternatives- a canadian NGO's writing is just as good ane maybe a little more readable for people - they are also really good-

These two are also about the TPP and quite good

https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/involuntary-medication

https://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/National%20Office/2016/02/Major_Complications.pdf


This following one is about a Clinton-era deal on services and it also applies to us now - since we also signed it- highly recommended

http://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/National_Office_Pubs/putting_health_first.pdf


its recommendations - we really should do something similar so we are not trapped forever by these things-

thats their intent you know.

the WTO actually admits that- you can read about that in Bad Medicine

here is the link-

http://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/National_Office_Pubs/bad_medicine.pdf

[1StrongBlackMan]

20. Again ...

Matthew Rimmer may be an expert in Intellectual Property/Copyright Law and Agriculture; but, he is no more qualified to speak to trade policy/Trade Law, than I am speaking to Finance, as an HR Professional, or my speaking to Bankruptcy Law, when I practiced in Civil.

[snowy owl]

19. Sure it is. Most of what you read online is opinion. It is about who you trust and what you know.

[1StrongBlackMan]

21. Who you trust and what you "know" ... IOWs ...

how willing one is are to allow one's ideology, inform their opinion.

[jwirr]

9. Wonderful. One Clinton gave us NAFTA and the other helped

write TPP and we are supposed to vote for her?