No amount of protest is going to stop the USA from joining in on the Trans-Pacific Parnership. It's a done deal, with a few details to work out. Here's what I found today.
Today I found reference to the 19th negotiation session for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, while researching Janet Yellen's association with the Pacific Council on International Policy. Yellen is a former Director along with Condoleeza Rice, Jon Huntsman, and Laura D'Andrea Tyson.
Here's what I found on the Pacific Council's website, announcing October 12, 2013 activities to be held in Santa Monica, California (a good place/time to protest? The Pacific Council is proud to announce that we will be moving on October 31st from our current location at 801 S. Figueroa Street to a new office location: 725 S. Figueroa Street.):
NAFTA 20 Years On: Assessing Lessons for the Emerging Transpacific Partnership
With the North American Free Trade Agreement reaching its 20th year and negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership beginning their 19th session, this panel will discuss the evolution of NAFTA over the past two decades, highlighting successes and challenges faced with an eye toward lessons learned for the new trade apparatus. Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Ambassador Eduardo Medina-Mora; current Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization Mr. Rufus Yerxa; and Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance at the Department of Commerce Mr. Michael C. Camuñez will join this session. Pacific Council Board Co-Chair and former U.S. Trade Representative (1993-1996) The Honorable Mickey Kantor will moderate.
Whose Mickey Kantor? Click
here to see his interactive Muckety map chart. Kantor's trade creds date back to Bill Clinton's administration.
I believe the TPP will succeed, sadly. I'm just not seeing enough outrage to stop TPP.
Here's a chart for the Pacific Council on International Policy
The Pacific Council on International Policy was funded by George Argyros through the Argyros Foundation. Mr. Argyros is a staunch Republican supporter.
Stating the obvious, there are many complexities and power plays regarding TPP.
Some of the complexities and power plays are stated in this article:
How Republicans in Washington are helping China wield more influence in Southeast Asia
President Barack Obama’s visits to Malaysia and the Philippines next week will be called off because the logistics staff who precede the massive presidential entourage aren’t in place. Secretary of State John Kerry will go instead.
Malaysia is important to the current TPP negotiations for several reasons. First is its geopolitical significance in relation to China; along with Vietnam, Malaysia is the only negotiating Southeast Asian country slated to join.
The problem for the US is that Malaysia’s prime minister, Najib Razak, has been dragging his feet on the negotiations and threatening to water down the TPP terms. The treaty, he worries, could threaten state control of certain industries, as well as its labor programs favoring ethnic Malays.
Here is a map of the countries involved in the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership, taken from the above article.
It appears that Razak is worried about the same harms done to Malaysia's working class as we are about the American working class.
According to Alan Grayson, the sovereignty of the United States is on the line.
Alan Grayson "US Sovereignty Being Handed to Corporate Interests"
I find this Grayson comment chilling:
It is ironic in a way that the government thinks it's alright to have a record of every single call that an American makes, but not alright for an American citizen to know what sovereign powers the government is negotiating away.
Having seen what I’ve seen, I would characterize this as a gross abrogation of American sovereignty. And I would further characterize it as a punch in the face to the middle class of America. I think that’s fair to say from what I’ve seen so far. But I’m not allowed to tell you why!
Although the TPP plan
started some seven years ago by four Pacific nations—Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore, TPP is being viewed and reported as an Obama Administration deal.
Obama will own it just like Bill Clinton/Gore have to own Nafta Shafta.
Remember this photo op?
'We've made significant progress'
TPP talks began three years ago and President Barack Obama has said he wants a deal by the end of the year.
US trade representative Michael Froman* sounded upbeat following talks with counterparts during the APEC summit.
China not invited to join pact - Meanwhile, China is pursuing a rival free-trade deal involving 16 Asia-Pacific nations.
"The TPP countries are strongly committed to working to conclude negotiations this year," Mr Froman told reporters.
I imagine the TPP countries are committed. Anyone with a modicum of knowledge knows the pressures and promises made to countries for their cooperation. If not, read The Shock Doctrine, by Naomi Klein.
I can imagine Michael Froman is tickled pink at the prospects of the Trans-Pacific Partnership being signed into law. Why?
*Mr. Froman is a Director of the Export-Import Bank of the US, and a former Director of Citigroup.
What companies are being served by the US Export-Import Bank? The same companies exposed in the book, Confessions of an Economic Hitman. "The corporatocracy - They control our media, most of our politicians, they are running things."
This interview is worth watching if you don't want to buy/read the book:
Look at this chart:
So, if we think that peon protests here and/or abroad are going to stop these corporate behemoths, I have a bridge for sale.
I apologize for such a negative conclusion.
For an in-depth look at TPP, do read Bob Swern's
U.S. Gov't Quietly Pushes to Conclude Trans-Pacific Partnership (a.k.a. “Corporate Coup D'Etat”)
You will find some great ACTION RESOURCES in diary
TP Partnership - And I Don't Mean Toilet Paper!
This PICTURE RICH anti Trans-Pacific Partnership/Save the Environment diary is INSPIRING!
http://www.dailykos.com/...