The TPP and The Environment
The TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP for short) is a massive trade deal between the US and 11 countries (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam).
Trade deals and tariffs are often negotiated between countries – to put it simply, trade deals allow countries to sell things they have, and buy other things they need or want.
It should be fine.
But it’s not.
The TPP is unlike any other trade deal in history.
Here are 6 reasons why you should be worried about the TPP.
TPP Problem #1 – It’s Secret
If you know nothing else about the TPP, just knowing that it’s secret means that there are things in it that need to be hidden.
It’s massive – yet it’s secret.
After several years of negotiation, no draft text or U.S. government proposals have been released to the public.
We probably won’t have much opportunity to comment on or oppose the TPP.
(That doesn’t sound very democratic, does it?).
Much of what we know about it comes from WikiLeaks.
It is believed that one of the reasons it’s so secretive is that many of the influencers are giant corporations and big polluters, who manipulate the deals to suit their profits.
TPP Problem #2 – More Fossil Fuels, Less Control
If the leaked documents are to be believed, the U.S. Department of Energy would be legally bound to automatically approve all exports of U.S. natural gas (LNG) to countries in the TPP, without any review or delay.
This massive increase in gas exports would put more pressure to frack in the United States.
(See What Fracking Looks Like When it Comes to Your Area).
That means significant new investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, such as more pipelines and LNG terminals, at a time when we should be investing in renewable energy.
It also means increased climate emissions.
In addition, it could also result in an increase in LNG prices – and that means that power plants and other major energy users would push back to (cheaper) coal.
More climate change.
Did you notice the italics at the beginning of this section – that exports would be approved without review or delay? That means no safety checks, and no rules or regulations for storing and shipping the fossil fuel.
That’s not good.
There are already serious health and safety concerns with fracking, particularly regarding drinking water.
I have no problem with any company making a profit. But not at the expense of our world and all who live on it.
Profit before safety. Profit before people. Profit before the environment. Profit before climate change.
TPP Problem #3 – The “Right” To Profit
Under the TPP, nothing can override a supplier’s right to its expected profit.
If the government in one of the TPP countries wanted to institute new climate and environmental regulations, for example, it could be sued under the provisions of the TPP – because the supplier might face reduced profits from not being able to sell the quantity of fossil fuels it expected.
(ExxonMobil, Dow Chemical and Chevron have already sued for loss of profit using provisions similar to those in the TPP).
Suppose a government in the TPP wanted to mandate “green purchasing” in government contracts – buying recycled paper or renewable energy for example. It could be sued for doing so.
And corporations would have the right to sue governments in non-transparent (secret) trade tribunals. We wouldn’t know a thing.
Essentially, the TPP would mean that governments would be hampered from helping to solve the climate crisis, while corporations could challenge environmental laws and policies.
(And it’s difficult enough to get politicians to act on the climate crisis already!).
TPP Problem #4 – Stifling Innovation
Why would any company spend time, money and effort in creating exciting new solutions and products, if they won’t be purchased because the TPP mandates what can be bought?
There would be no incentive to innovate.
Under the TPP, more things will be able to be patented, and their copyright periods will be considerably extended. This is very much in favour of large corporations – for example, Disney don’t want to lose copyright to Mickey Mouse – he’s a great profit-maker for the company.
Again, this reduces innovation. Plus, items such as pharmaceuticals will remain expensive as the exclusive patents will last longer.
TPP Problem #5 – Laws
Effectively, “all signatory countries will be required to conform their domestic laws and policies to the provisions of the Agreement”.
Just think about the implications of this statement.
All the laws and policies that make each country unique, that are designed to cater for the specific and individual needs and wants of that country, would be over-ruled by TPP provisions.
And what will happen to freedom of speech and right to privacy under the TPP?
TPP Problem #6 – It’s Not Totally About Trade
From what we can see via the leaked documents, the TPP has only a relatively small section on actual trade (although the trade will generate a lot of money).
The rest is all about control.
Control over:
- Food and food safety
- Job Losses (to other countries)
- Public Health
- Internet Freedom
- Financial Regulations
- Workers’ Rights
- and more
Wikileaks released the Intellectual Property chapter of the TPP and its powers are broad indeed. Trials can be stopped if possible information might be “embarrassing” to corporations or countries.
US President Obama has pledged to make the TPP public – but only after the legislation has passed.
Corporations lobbied to get the deal passed through Congress in June – see how much senators were paid to support the bill.
Investigative journalists and whistle-blowers will face severe criminal penalties for “accessing” anything deemed a “trade secret”.
Effectively, individual corporations would be elevated to equal status with sovereign nations.
The TPP – Other Viewpoints
I’ve focused on the environmental and climate change issues in this article, but of course there are other aspects.
And just out of interest, have a look at this US Government site: the Office of the US Trade Representative. It’s full of lavish praise for the TPP, including how it will promote “strong environmental protection”.
Really? Increasing fossil fuel use around the world, and increasing fracking in the US is great for the environment?
How did they work that out?
What You Can Do About the TPP
There are many powerful interests in favour of the TPP, so stopping it will be difficult. You can sign a petition here.
Finally, watch this short video from the Sierra Club, and let me know what you think about the TPP in the Comments below.
Please spread the word about the TPP. It’s important. Sharing buttons below and right. Thank you!
Hi Clare, living in the UK, can’t really comment on the TPP, but the trade partnership between Europe and the US, was shrouded in the same sort of secrecy and everyone is just starting to discopver why, and most of it is around the huge benefits to the US
That’s right Mike – and anything shrouded in secrecy is ALWAYS a problem, we know there’s a lot that NEEDS to be hidden otherwise approval wouldn’t be granted.
All countries want and need trade, but when one party has more power (perceived or actual), such trade agreements tend to result in monopolistic advantages to one side.
Thanks for your comment!