Obama Asia and Europe Trade Plan

[Anonymous]

Obama has a big job on this trade agreement with Asia an Europe. Although I see how this trade can benefit our economy I also see how it can affect it in a negative way.

[Anonymous]

The article didn't go into much details about the terms of the trade agreement but from the sounds of it it seems like the Republicans (and some Democrats) might think America is getting the short end of the bargain. It doesn't seem, at least to the Republicans, that America will be able to fix its main economic woe--the trade deficit--with other countries. As a country, we haven't seen any trade surplus for the longest time--where we our exports exceed our imports-- and this is draining our capital. What I like about the article was that it was critical about the safety measures we need to put into the terms of the trade agreement to safeguard all trade partners from currency manipulation and other things. Unfortunately, even though the article did not mention it explicitly I think it was referring to China. I think for America to be prosperous, in the short run it needs to at least reach a point of trade balance instead of bleeding capital in the trade deficit. I hope our government will consider these issues and choose the proper path that would lead the nation into better economic trading position. We do not need to rush the trade agreement for "trading sake."

[Anonymous]

The US is negotiating an agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The proponents of this agreement claim that it will boost US economic growth, support American workers and increase exports of Made in USA products to the fastest growing countries in the world. Primarily those countries in the Asia Pacific region. With this agreement the US hopes to build and develop enforceable labor standards, address the environmental issues and support US small businesses. It is unlikely that we will see much movement in this Trans-Pacific Partnership anytime soon. Particularly as we head towards the 2016 elections.

[Anonymous]

I feel uncomfortable when Obama and the Republicans are on the same side. I worry about the environmental impact and state and federal laws being superceded for example we have food origin laws that are being contested by Mexico and Canada. I worry about food safety.

[Anonymous]

Also why is everything not transparent about the area of slave labor and and safety laws?

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

It looks like the Senate denied Obama's plan concerning new free trade agreements with Asia and Europe. I'm not extremely knowledgeable of my world economics, but I thought many of you might find this interesting. After reading the article, I can understand the concerns of the Democratic party opposing the plan. I particularly liked the quote "trade for trade's sake" in regards to opposition of the agreements. As I mentioned, I'm not knowledgeable of world trade and free trade, but I wonder if this decision will hurt the U.S.'s relations with the countries that were to be involved in the agreements.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/may/12/obama-trans-pacific-partnership-senate-vote

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