The TPP is as bad or worse than NAFTA. The President is pushing it hard.

[pampango]

102. I will delete my expletives and proceed. What does the TPP have to do with trade? A lot.

It is about a lot more than trade, too. I agree that the provision you are referring to, if it is in the final draft of the agreement, is a huge negative. If (a big IF, perhaps, but if) this provision is not in the final agreement, would you consider supporting the TPP?

If enforceable provisions for labor rights and tough environmental standards are in the final draft that is a huge positive. Of course, "enforceable" means that national sovereignty takes a hit. The US, for example, would not be able to squirm out of strengthening its labor laws with the excuse of "but we are a sovereign country and you can't tell us what to do."

I don't know which provisions are in the final draft and which will be left out. I will certainly oppose it if it keeps the corporate provision you are referencing and does not have strict and enforceable standards on labor rights and the environment. It will not be a perfect document. (The only way it would be is if they had said, "pampango, we want you to draft the TPP. Let us know when you are finished." ) If you do know what the final agreement looks like, please share it with those of us on the outside.

Obama knows that the way trading rules are structured now there are no protections for labor rights and the environment. China and other poor countries have an inherent advantage if the playing field remains as it is now - dominated by the lowest wages, weak unions and low environmental standards rather than by high labor and environmental standards. China would love for it to stay this way, so it opposes TPP. It does not see its bread being buttered by a change to stronger unions and tougher environmental requirements.