WCIT: Democrats Plan, TPP Not That Dissimilar

The Washington Council on International Trade says the 2016 Democratic Platform which laid out the party’s stance on trade, is not that dissimilar from the Trans Pacific Partnership.  WCIT’s Ashley Dutta told the Washington Ag Network, at this point, much of the disagreement with TPP is more about politics, rather than policy.

“There’s a very vocal minority that do not like trade agreements and they don’t want to see the TPP passed.  In many ways, I wonder if they’ve read the actual agreement to see how many ways it does align with their values.  I just think that they’ve decided, politically this is a stance they are going to take and they’re not going to change their minds.”

Duta said during the Democratic National Convention last month, party leaders said they want and agreement that protects U.S. values, such as protecting the environment, workers, and laborers, allowing governments to regulate in the public interest.

“They wanted one that promoted a free and open internet, and that proven it’s stake on enterprises from taking unfair advantage of the marketplace, one that balances access lifesaving medications with innovation for these medicines.  So, all of those things are exactly what the TPP does.”

WCIT said TPP combines fully enforceable labor standards that will allow workers in countries like Vietnam to receive a minimum wage and unionize for the first time with enforceable environmental standards.  WCIT added TPP offers Washington the opportunity grow exports by up to $8.7 billion and create up to 26,000 direct jobs.

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