Barack Obama

jeff47

(26,549 posts)

31. The first thing to remember is the TPP isn't about trade.

Fri Apr 24, 2015, 05:15 PM

Apr 2015

We already have plenty of trade with all the TPP countries. Tariffs are statistically insignificant, and there aren't any other large trade barriers that would be lifted by TPP. So clearly the TPP has to be about something else.

The TPP is about capital. The TPP makes it much safer for capital to invest across borders.

Say you decide to invest in a strip mine in another country. The strip mine is dumping toxic sludge in the local water supply. Before the TPP, you could lose your investment if the local government shut down the strip mine. After TPP, you can go to the tribunals it sets up and recoup not only your investment, but the profit you would have made on the investment.

Wanna buy a sweatshop? Now you don't have to worry about the other government shutting it down via new labor laws. Because even if the government does shut it down, you get paid.

So why's Obama so for the TPP? I think it's likely due to the labor protections that have been mentioned, but not leaked. He may see it as uplifting the workers in these other countries by requiring much better labor practices and work conditions.

ETA: I suspect the capital protections are the "give" in order to get the labor protections "take".

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

65 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

So, TPP and Obama. Thoughts? [View all] babylonsister Apr 2015 OP

I want to think that this will go the way of the Keystone pipeline deal... NYC_SKP Apr 2015 #1

I have always looked at Bill Clinton and Barack Obama as old Rockefeller Republicans rurallib Apr 2015 #2

President Obama is a Democrat. He has excellent Democratic Accomplishments.. I don't care how Cha Apr 2015 #15

I apologize for offering an honest opinion rurallib Apr 2015 #18

Good for you. That's just it..an "opinion". Cha Apr 2015 #19

After watching his interview on Chris Matthews tonight, KMOD Apr 2015 #3

My problem is that Labor doesn't agree at all. That's one of them. So why? babylonsister Apr 2015 #4

I too, need to do more research. KMOD Apr 2015 #5

While I understand it, I think "labor" is afraid of change, not realizing Hoyt Apr 2015 #32

I think the people he considers to be the most knowledgeable on the subject say it's a good thing. PoliticAverse Apr 2015 #6

Post removed Post removed Apr 2015 #7

You are wrong, and I would alert babylonsister Apr 2015 #8

I will, however, alert. Drunken Irishman Apr 2015 #9

Thanks for alerting.. what an idiotic thing to say. Shows he knows not a damn thing about the Cha Apr 2015 #13

Sorry, bsis... sheshe2 Apr 2015 #12

Good to know I'm not the only one confused about this. Most of the arguments lamp_shade Apr 2015 #10

I'll be honest; Jamaal510 Apr 2015 #49

I have a background in shipping which gives me some... TreasonousBastard Apr 2015 #11

Thank you, TreasonousBastard. sheshe2 Apr 2015 #16

Interesting argument/opinion. guillaumeb Apr 2015 #27

Hey, bsis. sheshe2 Apr 2015 #14

"Will massive Trans Pacific trade deal hurt American workers? Labor Secretary Thomas Perez pushes Cha Apr 2015 #17

NAFTA done right in other words. ucrdem Apr 2015 #20

+1 treestar Apr 2015 #22

A link to what is available from US Senate right now, and can be downloaded. American workers are freshwest Apr 2015 #52

Thanks for your input, everyone. babylonsister Apr 2015 #21

Certain people trying to make this into a bogeyman treestar Apr 2015 #23

I take him at his word on it. lovemydog Apr 2015 #24

I'll take my faith in him over hyperbole, conjecture and machinations any day. great white snark Apr 2015 #25

I can only think of two words and one phrase, blackmail, bribery or drank the Kool-Aid. Cleita Apr 2015 #26

I will reserve my judgement until I see the final agreement. still_one Apr 2015 #37

I think he simply believes this is better than the status quo. DCBob Apr 2015 #28

For me it's simple....by and large Republicans want it and know whats in it. yourout Apr 2015 #29

That is inane logic. Perhaps if you read the agreement when it is available you can make your own still_one Apr 2015 #33

Let me clairify.....What was the last time Republicans did something that Dems did not want that.... yourout Apr 2015 #39

Good clarification. However, I do not think all Democrats in Congress are against the TPP. That still_one Apr 2015 #43

This might help. It doesn't really discuss the details of TPP, but it makes very clear that still_one Apr 2015 #30

But the full agreement will be huge. guillaumeb Apr 2015 #35

Actually, there will be at least 90 days for the public to weigh in through their representatives, still_one Apr 2015 #42

How would amending a trade agreement work? bornskeptic Apr 2015 #48

In a perfect world, with perfect agreements, guillaumeb Apr 2015 #50

The first thing to remember is the TPP isn't about trade. jeff47 Apr 2015 #31

We won't know for sure until we see the final agreement, which we will see before the debate or vote still_one Apr 2015 #34

You're assuming that a giant agreement can be meaningfully analyzed in a very short time. jeff47 Apr 2015 #36

I believe that there will be folks who will be able to specifically point out in the agreement, pros still_one Apr 2015 #40

And I believe in the tooth fairy. jeff47 Apr 2015 #46

Regardless, I need to re-evaluate my thoughts on this. I thought it still_one Apr 2015 #47

I wrote this as a response down thread. guillaumeb Apr 2015 #38

You quote that Congressional member cannot see specifics of the legislation, but that flies counter still_one Apr 2015 #41

Just an observation. The discussions in this thread are so much more civil than other areas, where still_one Apr 2015 #44

nice observation guillaumeb Apr 2015 #45

Excellent thread... AuntPatsy Apr 2015 #51

This message was self-deleted by its author steve2470 May 2015 #53

President Obama is right on this trade agreement. Major Hogwash May 2015 #54

I like your answer, Major Hogwash. sheshe2 May 2015 #55

TPP is the whine du jour. Major Hogwash May 2015 #56

There is always something on the menu at DU, Major. sheshe2 May 2015 #57

Back in the day, we used to say DU's motto should be . . . Major Hogwash May 2015 #58

Roflol~ sheshe2 May 2015 #59

I'm not quite that old. Major Hogwash May 2015 #61

I find it very confusing, frankly. Obama clearly believes what he's saying, & I understand ... Hekate May 2015 #60

good post steve2470 May 2015 #62

Thanks. "Rational" and "global perspective" are qualities I have long ascribed to Obama... Hekate May 2015 #63

I just watched the entire interview on yahoo.com with the President steve2470 May 2015 #64

I appreciate this thread... BlancheSplanchnik May 2015 #65