The perils of TPP

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

 The Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP is one of those rare bills before Congress that’s hated equally by hard-right conservatives and left-leaning liberals.

 It reminds me of Maine’s wind power debate. Unlike wind power, however, which does create employment opportunities in the state, TPP could do just the opposite.

 The biggest loser if TPP is enacted could be companies like New Balance with 900 workers in Maine. Right now, they’re hanging on by their laces until TPP is settled for good.

 So what’s the problem with TPP? Basically, President Obama and Republican leaders want to use the same process used to pass the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) more than 20 years ago — a rule called “fast track” — to enact trade deals without any legislative scrutiny.

 In addition to giving unchecked power to the president, TPP would continue to give global corporations more incentive to create jobs overseas.

 But it wasn’t always this way. For years after World War II, trade agreements enacted by Congress were two-way streets. We exported nearly the same amount of goods as we imported.

 Then NAFTA came along – another trade agreement negotiated in secret and enacted by a bipartisan coalition.

 Former presidential candidate Ross Perot warned that if NAFTA passed “there will be a giant sucking sound going south” as jobs migrated over the border to Mexico.

 NAFTA passed. Since then, American-owned factories have sprung up in Mexico like lupines in springtime.

 Take a look at the tags on your clothing. When’s the last time you bought a pair of jeans or a jacket made in the USA?

 Appliance and furniture manufacturers, which used to anchor our manufacturing base, are now creating millions of jobs each year. Unfortunately, they’re in China, India and Indonesia.

 So should we just shut down our borders and become an isolated nation? Of course not. Free trade can be a huge economic boost to both sides.

 However, our trade deficit hit $51.4 billion last month, the highest amount in nearly seven years. So either we’re not selling enough of our products overseas or we’re making things nobody wants anymore.

 But if you listen to President Obama, TPP will open up brand new markets, thus creating new job opportunities. Sorry, but my skepticism meter is still on high alert.

 TPP reminds me of Obamacare: Pass the bill first, and then we’ll tell you what’s in it.

 Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King both voted “no” on TPP, even though the bill sailed through the Senate more than a week ago. It now awaits further action in the House.

 Based on Congress’ recent actions, however, I wouldn’t bet a nickel on the eventual outcome of TPP.

 If it passes, it won’t be the first bad idea passed with good intentions. Unfortunately, it probably won’t be the last one, either.

 Mike Lange is a staff writer with the Piscataquis Observer. His opinions are his own and don’t necessarily reflect those of this newspaper.