WikiLeaks releases draft of highly-secretive multi-national trade deal

[pcosmar]

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a free trade agreement.

Actually,, it is called a free trade agreement. But it is not free trade.

It is a managed trade agreement.. And a very restrictive trade agreement...

 

[PRB]

Ron Paul calls "Free Trade" agreements by their actual name: "Government-Managed Trade" agreements.

What would an actual example of free trade be, and how exactly would it be any better at "not destroying jobs, not eroding sovereignty, not serving special interests"?

 

[PRB]

Actually,, it is called a free trade agreement. But it is not free trade.

It is a managed trade agreement.. And a very restrictive trade agreement...

and if it were actually free trade, what would it look like? would you be for it?

 

[FrankRep]

and if it were actually free trade, what would it look like? would you be for it?

It would look like individuals and companies trading good and services. The government doesn't need to get involved.

 

[FrankRep]

Actually,, it is called a free trade agreement. But it is not free trade.

It is a managed trade agreement.. And a very restrictive trade agreement...

lol, I forgot the "quotes" I guess.

 

[pcosmar]

What would an actual example of free trade be, and how exactly would it be any better at "not destroying jobs, not eroding sovereignty, not serving special interests"?

Actual Free trade..
No government involvement,, no restrictions. No nothing,, but individuals that wish to buy and sell goods and services,, without restrictions.

The only example I could give is the Black Market.. But honest Free Trade would do away with any Black Market.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

Other secondary/independent media is covering this, Democracy Now coverage: http://www.democracynow.org/2013/11/14/tpp_exposed_wikileaks_publishes_secret_trade

video: http://dncdn.dvlabs.com/ipod/dn2013-1114.mp4

LORI WALLACH: Well, free trade is a pretty theory, but as yesterday’s WikiLeaks showed, the TPP has very little to do with free trade. So, only five of the 29 chapters of the agreement even have to do with trade at all. What’s in that intellectual property chapter? What the Cato Institute would call rent seeking—governments being lobbied by special interests to set up special rules that give them monopolies to charge higher prices. What does that mean for you and me? In that agreement, we now can see the United States is pushing for longer monopoly patents for medicines that would increase the prices here. They’re looking for patenting things like surgical procedures, making even higher medical costs. They’re looking to patent life forms and seeds. And with respect to copyright, the U.S. positions are actually even undermining U.S. law. So, for Internet freedom, if you didn’t like SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act, the domestic law that Congress and amazing citizen activism killed last year when it was attempted to be pushed here domestically, huge chunks of SOPA are pushed through the backdoor of this intellectual property chapter.

Now, what the heck is that doing in a free trade agreement? I would imagine the Cato Institute is also wondering: Are Adam Smith and David Ricardo, the free trade philosophers, rolling in their graves? Because that is protectionism. This is patent monopolies. This is copyright extensions. This is actually exactly what Bill just talked about, which is powerful special interests—Big Pharma, Disney and the other big-content guys—undermining us as consumers—our access to the Internet, our access to affordable medicine—and they’re using their power to put that into an agreement that they’ve got misbranded as "free trade." That’s what’s the real TPP. So maybe, actually, we agree, between the consumer group Public Citizen and Cato, that what’s in TPP, whatever you think about free trade, ain’t so good for most of us.


AMY GOODMAN: Lori Wallach, what most surprised you about seeing the TPP agreement for the first time yesterday, you know, the WikiLeaks leak?


LORI WALLACH: Well, first of all, this is extraordinarily secret. I’ve followed these negotiations since 1991 with NAFTA. And during NAFTA, any member of Congress could see any text. In fact, the whole agreement between negotiating rounds was put in the Capitol, accessible for them to look at. In 2001, the Bush administration published the entire Free Trade Area of the Americas text, when it was even in an earlier stage than TPP is right now, on government websites. They’ve even excluded members of Congress from observing the negotiations. I mean, this is extraordinary.

And so, to me, what was the most horrifying, I would say, is the ways in which the U.S. negotiators are using this agreement to try and rewrite U.S. law. I mean, I find it morally repugnant and outrageous that the U.S. negotiators be pushing Big Pharma’s agenda to raise medicine prices for the developing countries in the TPP. People in Vietnam, in all the developing countries that have HIV/AIDS, that have malaria, they need access to generic medicines, and this would cut it off. But they’re actually doing it also to us. So, to the extent, theoretically, they’re sort of supposed to be representing our interests, it would make cancer drugs in this country more expensive. Evergreening of patents, changing just a little tweaky thing, the six-hour versus 12-hour version of a medicine, you get 20 more years of monopoly. Also undermining our Internet freedom by rewriting U.S. law? There’s language in there where U.S. law says there’s an exception for liability for U.S. Internet service providers. The U.S. is the only country in that bracket that’s saying, "No, we shouldn’t allow that in TPP." It’s backdoor diplomatic legislating.

And that ties into that business with fast track. Why were—and it’s now 27 Republican members, because there was a second letter that came out of the Republicans, and 151 Democrats—why were they all saying together, in the last 36 hours, "No fast-track trade process. We don’t want to give away our constitutionally granted authority over trade policy"? And a big piece of the reason is, the left and right in Congress may disagree on what the policies should be, but they actually believe that, constitutionally, Congress gets to write our legislation. So the notion of this backdoor legislating, that we saw actually revealed in this WikiLeak, is precisely what is uniting, animating congressional outrage at the notion that after being left out of these negotiations uninformed, somehow they should volunteer to handcuff themselves so they can be thoroughly steamrollered and have even their legislating authority undermined through this so-called trade agreement. That’s really a backdoor coup d’état on domestic policymaking.

 

[FrankRep]

I'm glad the right-wing and left-wing can come together to fight this.

 

[Natural Citizen]

I'm glad the right-wing and left-wing can come together to fight this.

This remains to be seen. I've yet to hear anything from our representatives or their relative cheerleaders in the mainstream media about any of this. Many of whom receive a lot of money from these multi-nationals to espouse their propaganda and legislate their will...even on a global scale, as these revelations reveal.

Frank, what do you think I'll see if'n I go turn on msnbc, cnn or fox right this second? My guess is some romper room fodder relevant to some hurry up and get elected narrative.

Media stands to benefit from this greatly from this skullduggery so don't expect them to say anything. Nope. Crickets chirping...

 

[pcosmar]

I'm glad the right-wing and left-wing can come together to fight this.

That would be nice,,

But they will do it anyway. TPTB want it.. and they will have it despite any resistance.

 

[tangent4ronpaul]

Other secondary/independent media is covering this, Democracy Now coverage: http://www.democracynow.org/2013/11/14/tpp_exposed_wikileaks_publishes_secret_trade

video: http://dncdn.dvlabs.com/ipod/dn2013-1114.mp4

I have to nit pick here...

I find it morally repugnant and outrageous that the U.S. negotiators be pushing Big Pharma’s agenda to raise medicine prices for the developing countries in the TPP. People in Vietnam, in all the developing countries that have HIV/AIDS, that have malaria, they need access to generic medicines, and this would cut it off.

Developing countries get these kinds of US drugs via 3 routes, roughly:
Through US government programs where the US taxpayer pays for them.
Through donations via the Gates Foundation and maybe others.
Through pharmaceutical company donations, for which they get huge tax write offs - Ie basically the US taxpayer pays for them again.

What NEVER happens is a developing contry buying US pharmaceuticals. They are simply too expensive!
Drugs from India are the same thing, but much, much cheaper! Relief organizations don't buy US drugs either, for the same reason. That and regulatory BS.

What the hell is big PhRMA thinking of?

-t

 

[Natural Citizen]

Indeed. This news really warrants people to pay attention.

The problem here is that mainstrea media won't even go here. They stand to benefit greatly from this tyranny. Not a peep from them, I predict.

And, of course, we have a few economic hitmen spending money lobbying for representation and presenting their prospective models to our representatives too so don't expect too much from various web sites that focus on elections. You know? Oil... agribusinbess...biotech...the usual crowd.

 

[donnay]

The problem here is that mainstrea media won't even go here. They stand to benefit greatly from this tyranny. Not a peep from them, I predict.

And the alternative media that speaks out about this are called alarmist and then dismissed as Conspiracy kooks.

 

[FrankRep]

Secret Globalist Treaty Threatens Internet Freedom


Infowars.com
November 13, 2013



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1AJN1_Wu4o



Wikileaks has released a 95 page, 30,000 word document spelling out details on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). The secret globalist agreement will have a significant effect on a wide range of issues including internet freedom, medicine, patents, and civil liberties. The cabal will meet in Salt Lake, Utah, between November 19 and 24.
...


Full Story:
http://www.infowars.com/secret-globalist-treaty-threatens-internet-freedom/

 

[Natural Citizen]

This is probably the best piece I've heard regarding this issue. Absolute silence in the corporate media and similar web platforms so the only people who will be stopping this are the alternative folks.

 

[FrankRep]

WikiLeaks has published the chapter of the secret Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement that covers intellectual property rights.​

WikiLeaks Publishes Key Chapter of Secret TPP Agreement


The New American
14 November 2013

 

[jbauer]

There is no such thing as intellectual property. There is nothing to abolish, There is no right.
I was going to ask you to show me where this term Intellectual Property existed pre-1800. I googled it myself...

John McLean, ...

Does this make it any cleare for you.

IP = the libertarians fight for "free shit". Nothing more nothing less. Dem's want free shit to poor people. Repubs want free shit to warmakers. Libertarians (some) want to steal from their neighbor.

 

[Natural Citizen]

Abby Martin gives a call to action for a March Against the Mainstream Media on November 16 by talking about the abysmal failure of the fourth estate and the lack of public knowledge about important issues.




https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMainstreamMedia

https://www.facebook.com/events/219796878185908

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MAMSM.press.release

1) Go to http://mamsm.info/locations.htm
Find the location nearest you.
...
(2) Go to http://w11.zetaboards.com/MAMSM/index/
Sign up
Scroll down to: Protest Assembly and click your timezone
Find the protest nearest you and the organizers contact info.
IF THERE IS NO PROTEST NEAR YOU MAKE ONE! GET INVOLVED!

(3) Create a FB Event page for your area.
Save and upload the red cover photo on this main event page as your local MAMSM facebook event cover photo.

Put www.MAMSM.info in event's description and INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS!

SECRET CODE TO INVITE ALL FRIENDS:
http://antranik.org/secret-code-to-i...friends-on-fb/

IT'S TIME TO MAKE A STAND AND GET THE PUBLIC INFORMED ON WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON! #MAMSM #NOV16

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

15 November 2013 Yesterday...

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131115_24.html

Froman urges Japan to make decision on TPP
The US Trade Representative is urging Japan to make a decision on scrapping agricultural tariffs and other barriers to help conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks.

Michael Froman was speaking at the annual Japan-US Business Conference that opened in Washington on Thursday. He heads the US delegation to the TPP talks.

Froman said it's time for all negotiating countries to make political decisions to conclude the talks, adding that Japan's decision is a focus of attention.

Asked whether an agreement will be reached by the end of the year as planned, Froman said the negotiations will remain tough even if the target date is extended. He said now is the time to wrap up the talks.

At the event's beginning, Japan Business Federation Chairman Hiromasa Yonekura said the 2 countries' business leaders will also accelerate talks to support the TPP talks by the governments.

Business leaders taking part in the two-day meeting are to release a joint statement on Friday.
Nov. 15, 2013 - Updated 05:06 UTC


Michael Froman

Michael B. Froman (born August 20, 1962)[SUP][/SUP] is the U.S. Trade Representative. He previously was Assistant to the President of the United States and Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs, a position to be held jointly at the National Security Council and the National Economic Council. His responsibilities included serving as the United States sherpa to the G7, G8, and G20 summits of economic powers.[SUP][2][/SUP] On May 2, 2013 President Obama nominated him to succeed Ambassador Ron Kirk as the U.S. Trade Representative.[SUP][3][/SUP][SUP][4][/SUP] He was confirmed on June 19, 2013.

[TABLE="class: infobox vcard"]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2, align: center"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="bgcolor: lavender, colspan: 2, align: center"]17th United States Trade Representative[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: lavender, colspan: 2, align: center"]Incumbent[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2, align: center"]Assumed office
June 21, 2013[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]President[/TH]
[TD]Barack Obama[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]Deputy[/TH]
[TD]Miriam Sapiro
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: left"]Preceded by[/TH]
[TD]Miriam Sapiro (Acting)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CitiInsurance, head of Emerging Markets Strategy at Citigroup and a Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.[SUP]

[/SUP]He also spent much of his career within the United States Department of the Treasury,

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

Sociopath... Scum

http://variety.com/2013/biz/news/u-...ing-pact-has-zero-to-do-with-sopa-1200838860/[h=1]U.S. Trade Representative Defends Pending Trade Pact After WikiLeaks Disclosure[/h]

Alex Wong/Getty Images
November 15, 2013 | 06:43PM PT

• [h=4]Leaked Draft of Trade Pact Stirs Up Outcry Among Digital Rights Groups[/h][h=4]Appeals Court Rejects Claim Against Paramount Over Ownership of ‘Rules of Engagement’[/h]

U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, touring Paramount’s backlot on Friday, refuted reports that a proposed trade pact between the U.S. and 11 Pacific Rim countries would be an attempt to impose provisions of ill-fated antipiracy legislation that stalled out in Congress early last year.

Following WikiLeaks’ disclosure of an August draft of a portion of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, some digital rights groups have sounded the alarm over the pact, arguing that the provisions in the draft will limit Internet freedom. The sites TorrentFreak and BoingBoing compared it to the Stop Online Piracy Act, which was sidelined in Congress in the face of an online protest, while groups like Free Press and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have condemned its provisions.
But Froman, in a brief interview, said that “what we have in there are things that are already in U.S. law about making sure, whether it is copyright or other protections, are fully enforced around the world.”
“For example, as I understand it, I wasn’t around for it, (the Stop Online Piracy Act) was about blocking rogue Internet sites from accessing the Internet from the United States. There is nothing in the Trans Pacific Partnership, zero, that has anything to do with that,” he said.
He added that the agreement would be to “ensure that if a creative artist or others have intellectual property rights that are recognized that those are enforced.”

The MPAA on Thursday issued a statement cautioning that it was “important to be clear that the text circulated is not final.”


Froman also said that he was “not sure if (the leaked draft) was a legitimate draft or not.” He also said noted that it dates from August, and “so it doesn’t necessarily reflect the current stage of negotiations.”


“There is no agreement right now,” he said. “Nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to, and nothing will be agreed to until 3 a.m. on the last night of negotiations.”
Froman on Friday also went to the Disney lot to meet with studio executives to talk about trade and the Trans Pacific pact.
“Our goal through these trade negotiations is to make sure we are raising the standard of protection around the world, for artists and the people who support them,” he said.
He also called the talks over the trade pact “the most transparent trade negotiation in history,” noting that they have held more than 1,000 briefings on Capitol Hill, have enlisted 600 advisers for input from various groups and have invited stakeholders to address negotiators from all 12 countries, among other efforts. Representatives from both parties this week sent letters to President Obama expressing concerns that they were not being consulted about its provisions, which address not just intellectual property but a host of other trade issues including access to markets.
The countries have set a goal of reaching agreement by the end of the year.
At Paramount, Froman, along with his son, toured a construction and lighting shop on the lot, as well as a sound mixing stage where he watched a clip from the next “Anchorman” movie, “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” He also visited the set of Nickelodeon’s “The Thundermans” and posed for pictures with the cast. With him on the tour were Paramount COO Frederick Huntsberry, exec VP Michael Romano and IATSE Third International VP Thomas Davis.

[h=2]Filed Under:[/h]

• Michael Froman
  
• Paramount
• Trans pacific partnership