Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Focus on China

No final deal in Pacific trade talks: negotiators

– Into the political maelstrom? –

Several prickly issues were believed to have held up what was supposed to be the final round of talks this week on the island of Maui, prime among them differences over agricultural markets and protection for drug makers.

With the US facing elections in November 2016, and voters suspicious of trade treaties, the delay could jeopardize its ratification in Congress.

“Today’s fourth ‘final’ TPP ministerial without a deal means the clock has run on possible US congressional votes in 2015,” Lori Wallach, director of advocacy group Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, said in a statement.

“No deal means the TPP is thrown into the political maelstrom of the US presidential cycle and with opposition building in many countries there are reduced chances that a deal will ever be reached on a pact that US Trade Representative Michael Froman declared to be in its ‘end game’ in 2013 but that has become ever more controversial since.

“It’s good news for people and the planet that no deal was done at this final do-or-die meeting given the TPP’s threats to jobs, wages, safe food, affordable medicines and more.”

About The Author

Pages: 1 2

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News