[CTC] Business groups form powerhouse coalition to lobby for Pacific pact

[Dolan, Mike]

This is news from nowhere.  These fatcat networks are already all interconnected in support of NAFTA expansion and have been for a long time.  As I described in my report last year (http://www.rosalux-nyc.org/tpp-and-ttip-partners-in-crime/) on page 6:

To summarize the structure of the free trade front: Fortune 500 corporations join trade associations―manufacturing, agribusiness, service sector, and so on―and then they and their associations join larger corporate coalitions like the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable which, in turn, create front groups that focus on trade policy and advocate for particular expansions of the NAFTA model and Fast Track.

Whether looking west at the Pacific Rim or east “across the pond” for euro-exports and investments, the major multinational corporations have dutifully signed on and paid in to these extravagantly resourced corporate front groups that can afford the very best in website spin, AstroTurf campaigns and K Street lobbyists to promote the TPP and TTIP.

In any case, these incestuous corporate cliques cannot hold a candle to the Fair Trade movement.  Their tired bench is thin and shallow compared to the depth and breadth of the opposition to the TPP, as expressed in the recent and historic CTC manifesto, joined by over 1500 civil society organizations -->  http://www.citizenstrade.org/ctc/blog/2016/01/07/1500-groups-urge-congress-to-oppose-the-tpp/

Perhaps we should get Vicki of the Hill on the horn with the leadership of our transpartisan coalitions fighting the TPP …
Citizens Trade Campaign
Coalition for Better Trade
Coalition for a Prosperous America
American Jobs Alliance et al

Powerhouse, schmowerhouse.

MFD :: IBT
202-624-6891

From: CTCField [mailto:ctcfield-bounces at lists.citizenstrade.org] On Behalf Of Arthur Stamoulis
Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2016 1:51 PM
To: CTC Field Field
Subject: [CTC] Business groups form powerhouse coalition to lobby for Pacific pact


http://thehill.com/policy/finance/270741-business-groups-form-powerhouse-coalition-to-lobby-for-pacific-trade-pact

Business groups form powerhouse coalition to lobby for Pacific pact

By Vicki Needham - 02/25/16 12:42 PM EST

Five of the nation’s most powerful business groups said Thursday they are teaming up to rally support behind an expansive Pacific Rim trade agreement, reflecting the enormity of the fight ahead.

On top off the Emergency Committee for American Trade, the U.S. Coalition for TPP has beefed up its ranks with the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Business Roundtable, the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the battle to convince Congress to approve for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

In a joint statement the groups said they have joined forces “for the next phase" of the coalition’s efforts, which is "pushing for the expeditious passage of the TPP."

"We are intensifying our broad education and advocacy efforts on the Hill and around the country as the administration and Congressional leaders work to address the next steps that are required to secure passage of the TPP," they said.

The TPP, which was signed by the United States and 11 other nations on Feb. 3, faces a bruising path to congressional passage this year.

A majority President Obama's own party oppose the sweeping agreement over concerns that U.S. workers will experience job and wage losses.

Other potential supporters, including many of the coalition's members, have said they support the deal but are concerned about several provisions in the deal, which include pharmaceuticals and tobacco. They have called on the Obama administration to address those problems to help smooth passage.

On Tuesday, the Farm Bureau released a report showing that the TPP would provide a $4.4 billion boost to the nation's farm community.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that level of growth would create 30,000 jobs.

“The TPP is a strong agreement that will eliminate barriers to U.S. exports and set in place standards that will improve American competitiveness in a region where the United States has lost market share," the groups said.

"Industries and companies, large and small, across America know that standing on the sidelines hurts the U.S. economy and American farmers, manufacturers, services providers and workers,” they said.

"It is critical that America move forward as soon as possible to open markets and level the playing field with our TPP partners."

Arthur Stamoulis
Citizens Trade Campaign
(202) 494-8826
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