[CTC] Europe's never ending crisis

[Thomas Palley]

http://www.cwa-union.org/news/entry/cwa_statement_on_japans_intent_to_join_the_trans-pacific_partnership#.UV3fTqLCaSo

CWA STATEMENT ON JAPAN"S INTENT TO JOIN THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP
April 4, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC – The Communications Workers of America opposes the  
entry of Japan into the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

Japan’s entry would cause the loss of tens of thousands of U.S. jobs,  
further damaging an already weak U.S. economy.  Japan is the second  
largest source of the U.S. trade deficit after China, and given the  
nation’s experience with other trade agreements, Japan’s entry into  
the TPP would make this trade deficit even worse.

Japan’s history of currency manipulation would further exacerbate this  
trade deficit if allowed to continue.  For example, just in the six- 
month period, from September 2012 to March 2013, the yen has been  
devalued by 21 percent, making Japanese exports to the U.S. cheaper  
and imports from the U.S. even more expensive.

Furthermore, Japanese automakers in the U.S. routinely violate global  
standards on workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively.

Before Japan can even be considered for TPP membership, it should meet  
certain standards. The Japanese government should ensure that Japanese  
automakers in the United States fully honor the labor standards set by  
the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Organization for  
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations  
Global Compact, and it must allow a fair, democratic process for  
workers to decide on union representation. In addition, the U.S. Trade  
Representative should adopt a new approach to non-tariff trade  
barriers, including breaking down the obstacles that prevent  
significant access to Japan’s market for U.S. goods – especially  
automobiles – and addressing Japan’s history of trade manipulation.

CWA will support fair trade agreements that create good jobs and end  
off-shoring; include strong, enforceable and internationally  
recognized protections for labor rights and the environment; protect  
worker and consumer health and safety; reignite the American economy;  
improve our quality of life; and defend the sovereignty of the United  
States and other nations against attacks by multinational  
corporations.  As it stands now, the inclusion of Japan in the TPP  
negotiations will undermine, not enhance, these objectives
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