TTIP torpedoed by US Senate vote

UndercoverElephant · Post by **UndercoverElephant** » 13 May 2015, 15:20

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015 ... enate-vote

Barack Obama’s ambitions to pass sweeping new free trade agreements with Asia and Europe fell at the first hurdle on Tuesday as Senate Democrats put concerns about US manufacturing jobs ahead of arguments that the deals would boost global economic growth.

A vote to push through the bill failed as 45 senators voted against it, to 52 in favor. Obama needed 60 out of the 100 votes for it to pass.

Failure to secure so-called “fast track” negotiating authority from Congress leaves the president’s top legislative priority in tatters.

It may also prove the high-water mark in decades of steady trade liberalisation that has fuelled globalisation but is blamed for exacerbating economic inequality within many developed economies with the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs. Internet activists had said the deal would curb freedom of speech, while other critics charged it would enshrine currency manipulation.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 13 May 2015, 16:03

Funnily enough I heard that news from a shopkeeper in town this lunchtime - trickling to a hick west of Ireland town means something's getting through.

I still think this deal will go through in some shape or form, though I also heard the French government are against ISDS.

Christopherd74 · Post by **Christopherd74** » 17 May 2015, 09:27

That is the most encouraging information I have received in such a long time. One bright spot in a generally Eeyore newsday. Thank you. Iron fetters are being designed for our unions by our newly elected (by less than 20% of our population) government, intended to silence our union voice and stop workers from using strike-threat to be heard, (and it has been demonstrated that use this power is all that is heard). I hope unions across the world will find ways to unite against the rampant capitalism that is fast turning into fascism in the political sense (for now). TTIP has been a nightmare looming for most of us, and it is a big relief and surprise to hear that people in America share our concerns.

Edit by admin, member deleted for advertising. I have left the post as pertinent replies had been made.

Little John · Post by **Little John** » 17 May 2015, 10:15

Christopherd74 wrote:That is the most encouraging information I have received in such a long time. One bright spot in a generally Eeyore newsday. Thank you. Iron fetters are being designed for our unions by our newly elected (by less than 20% of our population) government, intended to silence our union voice and stop workers from using strike-threat to be heard, (and it has been demonstrated that use this power is all that is heard). I hope unions across the world will find ways to unite against the rampant capitalism that is fast turning into fascism in the political sense (for now). TTIP has been a nightmare looming for most of us, and it is a big relief and surprise to hear that people in America share our concerns.

YES to all of this

UndercoverElephant · Post by **UndercoverElephant** » 17 May 2015, 12:57

Well, it is the right result, but for the wrong reason. It was rejected because lawmakers in the US decided TTIP wasn't in the best economic interest of the US rather than because they decided it was politically backwards and anti-democratic.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 17 May 2015, 13:10

Don't speak too soon: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015 ... track-bill

However, http://www.project-syndicate.org/commen ... tz-2015-05

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 18 May 2015, 11:32

biffvernon wrote:Don't speak too soon: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015 ... track-bill

However, http://www.project-syndicate.org/commen ... tz-2015-05

TTIP/CETA/TiSA/etc will all go ahead.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 10 Jun 2015, 17:26

TTIP getting some stick in the EU Parliament as unlikely allies come together.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015 ... -countries

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 10 Jun 2015, 17:27

biffvernon wrote:TTIP getting some stick in the EU Parliament as unlikely allies come together.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015 ... -countries

?

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 11 Jun 2015, 08:48

Oops... wrong link! It was meant to be http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 10457.html

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 11 Jun 2015, 08:51

http://www.theguardian.com/business/201 ... reens-ttip

MEPs were to vote on the controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on Wednesday but it was postponed at the last minute. More than 200 amendments to the report were proposed, and for this reason Martin Schulz, president of the European parliament, called for it to be sent back to the trade committee for further consideration. Undoubtedly the huge public opposition to TTIP was a major influence on the decision.

Greens have long opposed this trade deal as little more than a corporate power grab and certainly not in the public interest. The volume of amendments put forward is an indication of the passion this deal has aroused, the political divisions it has opened up, and the degree of public opposition.

Of particular concern is the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism, potentially allowing corporations to sue governments over any legislation or actions that threaten their profits. We do not believe corporations should have the right to challenge democratic decisions taken in the public interest which serve to safeguard our health, environment, social and labour standards. This is why Greens tabled an amendment calling explicitly for the exclusion of ISDS from TTIP.

A postponement on the opportunity to vote on this critical issue, of such concern to so many people, will not dampen our resolve to safeguard democratic decision-making and hard-fought-for standards.
Jean Lambert MEP
Molly Scott Cato MEP
Keith Taylor MEP
Green party

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 11 Jun 2015, 10:54

biffvernon wrote:Oops... wrong link! It was meant to be http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 10457.html

Ukip has also claimed it would lead to more privatisation in the NHS.

Ukip is going to privatise the NHS themselves; TTIP would mean their buddies would be under stiff competition for the spoils.