Democratic Trade Critics Pin Their Hopes On The GOP

[pampango]

Oddly it's the Republican side of the aisle where progressives have the best opportunity to pick up votes. The "most recent aspects of the agreement" House Ways and Means Committee Chair Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) referenced in his statement are small concessions that the administration reportedly made to progressive voices. Ambassador Michael Froman proposed removing anti-smoking rules from the sets of regulations that can be challenged before international tribunals. Froman also backed down from efforts to secure 12 years of monopoly protections for cancer drugs, according to sources familiar with the talks.

None of these changes mollified Democrats in Congress. But they have angered some Republicans, and give anyone interested in changing positions an excuse to move. Trade is a contentious issue in the Republican base. Many conservative groups vehemently oppose TPP, and Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump has been fanning those flames. He's called TPP a "disaster" and appeared in a radio ad hammering the "bad, bad deal." Trump has targeted the agreement's failure to tackle currency manipulation by Japan as a chief failure. Currency manipulation allows governments to make their goods cheaper in foreign markets without damaging wages or living standards for their own workers. It is one of the few issues to fracture TPP's corporate coalition, generating outrage from American auto companies. On Monday, Ford issued a statement opposing the deal.

Congressional Democrats still loathe the agreement between the United States and 11 Pacific nations and key Republican leaders didn't exactly celebrate the administration's announcement.

"I am afraid this deal appears to fall woefully short," Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said in a written statement. Hatch, who heads the committee responsible for trade deals, is Obama's top TPP ally in the Senate. Ryan -- who also leads a panel that oversees trade -- said in a statement that he is "reserving judgment" and has "concerns surrounding the most recent aspects of the agreement."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/barack-obama-trans-pacific-partnership_5612abcfe4b0af3706e17696

This may become clearer when the text of the agreement is released. For now some republicans seem to be bailing and Democrats in congress are remaining firm in their opposition.

[daleanime]

1. Disgusting.....

but true.