[CTC] TPP Protests go global as Malaysian, Japanese groups oppose deal

[Dolan Mike]

Hoffa Statement on U.S. Agreement With Japan on Joining TPP


April 12, 2013 

Teamsters Leader Was Skeptical of Trade Deal; Now He's Extremely
Skeptical 

Press Contact

Galen Munroe 

gmunroe at teamster.org 

202-439-7427 

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The U.S. Trade Representative announced today Japan
and the United States have agreed to allow Tokyo to join the
Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks.

Following is the official statement of Teamsters General President James
P. Hoffa:

"The Teamsters were already skeptical about the secret negotiations over
the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Now we are extremely skeptical, given the
history of our trade imbalance with Japan - especially in the auto
industry, where we have lost so many good jobs.

"This announcement shows how important it is that the Congress NOT give
up its constitutional authority to make trade policy.  We call on the
Congress to oppose Fast Track. Our elected representatives must vet
every word of this treaty for its impact on American workers. The
Congress must be able to eliminate every special deal hidden in the fine
print and inserted by corporate lobbyists.

"On behalf of the North American dairy workers from Alberta to Miami who
are Teamster members, we stand in solidarity with Japanese farmers and
workers who want to keep dairy market access off the table in the TPP.

"While we commend the Administration for standing firm for a strong
labor chapter, we are concerned that the rest of the TPP will not live
up to its billing as a high-end agreement that we can support. There
simply isn't enough public information about these negotiations. We're
concerned that big transnational corporations are advancing an agenda
that puts profits before people.

"The last thing we need right now is another trade deal that's unfair to
American workers.

"The Teamsters are not against trade. We are against unfair trade."

 

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