Free trade agreements

TPP released: Multinationals win, farmers, consumers and the environment lose

Minneapolis/Washington D.C.– After six years of negotiations behind closed doors, the 12 governments that make up the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) have finally made their agreement public—and the news is not good.

States’ leadership on healthy food and farming at risk under proposed trade deals

Consumer interest in healthy eating, organic food and supporting sustainable local food systems has never been higher. Consumers want labels to and expect that labels will identify where their food is from, how it was produced and what is in it.

Food Import Re-Inspection and the “High Standards” of 21st Century Trade Agreements

Minneapolis, October 6, 2015 — Proponents of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreements often refer to the “high standards” that are reportedly contained in the draft negotiating texts.1 There is no way to verify U.S.

Controversial Trade Deal Criticized for Secrecy, Benefiting only Multinationals

Minneapolis/Washington D.C.–After years of negotiations behind closed doors, it appears that the 12 countries that make up the Trans Pacific Partnership have reached a deal. While the details remain secret, the new trade rules could have serious impacts on farmers and ranchers, consumer labeling, farm to school programs and other state and local policies supporting local food systems.

Dairy producers reject their inclusion in the Trans Pacific Partnership

English translation of original post by La Jornada

TPP’s shell game on dairy

Trade ministers and negotiators are meeting this week in Atlanta in what might be the final round of negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). Leaving aside the fact that they first announced a “final” round nearly two years ago, it does seem that they are down to a few sticking points.

Tension Between Local Laws and Global Commitments

At the end of July, trade negotiators and ministers representing 12 Pacific Rim countries failed to reach agreements on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), leaving the negotiations hanging.

Agriculture and supply management in the TPP

Analyzing agriculture in trade negotiations as they occur is a little like playing blind man’s bluff.

U.S. incoherence on human rights and trade

Trade agreements require that all domestic regulations undergo “trade impact” or cost-benefit analyses before implementation to demonstrate that they are “least trade restrictive” and “necessary” to protect public and environmental health, worker safety and other public interest objec

A rallying cry for a better trade system

“What is your chlorine chicken?” was the question, midway through our five-day, nonstop tour of seven European cities to talk about the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the largest bilateral trade agreement in history, currently being negotiated between the United States and the European Union.