The United States hosted the 14th major round of behind-closed-door negotiations on the new Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement in Virginia this September.
Despite having reportedly introduced text for some 29 different chapters, the U.S. Trade Representative has barred ordinary Americans from reviewing any of its proposals. Even Senator Ron Wyden (D – Ore.) who chairs the Senate Trade Subcommittee charged with reviewing trade policy was initially refused access to TPP negotiating documents.
Meanwhile, approximately 600 corporate lobbyists have regular access to the negotiating texts as so-called “cleared advisors.” This sort of back-room dealmaking only benefits the 1% and has to end. In May, ORFTC helped deliver over 42,000 petition signatures urging that USTR inform the American public what its been proposing in our names. That request has been flatly refused. Over 700,000 have since signed this petition from Avaaz (which you can help push over the million signer mark by signing and sharing).
It’s also time for elected officials to intervene. TAKE ACTION NOW: Urge Congress to demand transparency in the TPP.