Critics say transpacific trade deal would allow corporations to override environmental, labor laws

In San Diego this week, world leaders are gathered for the latest round of trade talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Critics call the multi-country free trade agreement “NAFTA on steroids,” and say it will allow corporations to override environmental, labor and consumer protection laws. Opponents also point out that the public has been denied access to the content of the negotiations. As the US seeks to enter into this binding international agreement, the government is tangled in two other recent trade disputes: one striking down country of origin labeling and another placing higher tariffs on American cars following the auto industry bailout.  FSRN’s Alice Ollstein reports.

Clarification: The reference to “corporate lobbyists” in this story referred to corporate leaders and executives lobbying on behalf of their companies, not federally registered lobbyists under USC  1601. According to the Office of the US Trade Representative, the Obama Administration banned registered lobbyists from the federal advisory committees in 2009.