Transforming Trade: Is Era Of Corporate Trade Deals Over?

[Michael Brune]: "The era of corporate trade deals is over. With all signals pointing to the end of the TPP it's up to all of us to answer the next question. What comes next? And we need a fundamentally new approach that prioritizes the needs of people and planet."

Sierra Club Director Michael Brune.

AFL-CIO Deputy Chief of Staff Thea Lee says the apparent defeat of the TPP trade deal creates a chance to overhaul trade policy in a more pro-worker direction - even within the context of a hostile political environment for unions.

[Thea Lee]: "This is a difficult and challenging time for the labor movement and the broader progressive community. On the one hand the entire election form the primaries in both parties to election day was a resounding repudiation of current corporate globalization policy and received wisdom.

On the other hand we have a challenge going forward - that a progressive and engaged path forward in the global economy hasn't been clearly delineated - certainly not by the incoming Trump administration - to hold the Trump administration to the key promises that have been made about engaging in the global economy."

Lee says trade is inevitably tied to immigration policy. She says U.S. labor is in solidarity with workers all over the world as America transforms trade policy.

[Thea Lee]: "Immigration and trade policy are inextricably tied to each other. And the labor movement is about global solidarity between working people. So when we talk about negotiating a better deal, it's not about lifting up U.S. multi-national corporate interests, but it's rather about liftin' up workers' rights, fighting for good jobs dignity for every working person.

In the United States, in our trading partners and working together in concerted action against climate change. So our trade policies need to be in service of those goals, not in opposition to them."

 

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