It was ironic watching Robert Reich, now a reliable progressive, criticize the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) when 20 years ago he led the fight for The North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA). NAFTA cost 700,000 jobs and wiped out manufacturing all over the US, forced down manufacturing wages in Mexico by 10 percent, forced the Mexican government to remove subsidies for the growing of corn and beans, and created a tortilla shortage in Mexico City.
The TPP is a trade deal being negotiated amongst the US and 11 countries that would cover 40 percent of the world’s economy, and benefit the elites in every country that signs it. It will be NAFTA on steroids. It was cited by extremely right-wing Republican Paul Ryan as an issue the Republican Congress and the President could work on together.
I well remember 20 years ago when Robert Reich came to Atlanta for a couple of speeches. I was fortunate enough to get invited to dinner with him and other labor leaders and the city’s most prominent business leaders. At this supposedly cordial dinner, I challenged Reich on NAFTA–very inappropriate. We argued about five minutes. So it is ironic to me, but very welcome that Reich is not supporting the TPP.
The TPP would widen global inequality, outlaw nations’ workers rights, and environmental protections. It is being negotiated in secret. You and I have no access to it, but 500 corporate leaders are on its advisory committee. Please let me know when you get your invitation to serve on the advisory committee.
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