Monday, May 9, 2016

Michael Sauga — Free Tradeoffs: TTIP is Flawed -- But Necessary

Here, however, is what critics are overlooking: Germany is an export nation whose success largely depends on it determining relevant global standards. It currently still has an advantage, but since the population-rich emerging economies in Asia have begun catching up technologically and uniting themselves into powerful alliances, that lead is shrinking. In the next few years, new trade agreements will be created all around the world, with key regulations applying to security, the environment and privacy. The question is: Will they be more European or more Asian in spirit?
For this reason, the TTIP isn't just an economic but a political project. Are the aging democracies of the West prepared to overcome national reservations and create a common economic area for 300 million Americans and 500 million Europeans? Are they intent on playing a part in determining the rules of the global economic game in the 21st century -- or do they want to leave this task to others? Nowhere is the trans-Atlantic frustration about the TTIP being followed with as much secret pleasure as in the planning staffs of the Kremlin's Vladimir Putin or China's head of state Xi Jinping.…
Sounds familiar. Haven't I heard this before?

Oh, wait: "When more than 95 percent of our potential customers live outside our borders, we can’t let countries like China write the rules of the global economy. We should write those rules, " — US President Barack Obama.

5 comments:

Matt Franko said...

Tom, Obama actually believes that it is not part of the vast "neo-liberal conspiracy!"...

Tom Hickey said...

Obama is apparently conflicted in this. He has realized that presidents are creatures of the deep state (dependent on technocrats) as well as moneyed interests (donors), and he occasionally satisfies himself that he is above it by either taking contrary action or not following the script. But most of the time, he is on board with it. He is totally on board with the corporate trade agreements, and he is fully aware that they undermine the sovereignty and democracy. The man is a suit and tool.

Anonymous said...

Will the "key regulations applying to security, the environment and privacy . . . be more European or more Asian in spirit?" Does European in spirit mean security and privacy for multinational corporations, but not for citizens, and screw the environment?

Tom Hickey said...

Right. Disingenuous scare tactics. Corporations can sue sovereigns for damages in the case of regulation like environmental standards that cost them.

Roger Erickson said...

So it's not just that the beatings WILL occur until morale improves, now we have a religion explaining that they MUST occur?

Beam me up, Scrooby DooWop. :(