"WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is retreating from previous demands of strong international environmental protections in order to reach agreement on a sweeping Pacific trade deal that is a pillar of President Obama’s strategic shift to Asia, according to documents obtained by WikiLeaks, environmentalists and people close to the contentious trade talks."
"The negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would be one of the world’s biggest trade agreements, have exposed deep rifts over environmental policy between the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim nations. As it stands now, the documents, viewed by The New York Times, show that the disputes could undo key global environmental protections.
The environmental chapter of the trade deal has been among the most highly disputed elements of negotiations in the pact. Participants in the talks, which have dragged on for three years, had hoped to complete the deal by the end of 2013."
Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times January 15, 2014.
SEE ALSO:
"U.S. Politicians Want to Fast-Track the Super-Secret, Super-Controversial TPP" (Slate)
"Camp-Baucus Fast-Track Bill Bypasses Congressional Authority on Trade Agreements" (Center for Effective Government)
"Corporate Lobby Cheers Controversial Fast Track Bill" (Public Citizen)
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