TPP: A New Wave of Colonialism

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that Canada’s supply management systems for dairy and poultry could be a sticking point in talks, and that unwillingness to negotiate has jeopardized Canada’s place in the deal.

The recent and growing support for greater access for sugar from TPP countries has been spurred along by news that Mexico has access for some 1.5 million tonnes of sugar in the coming year despite a recent finding that it is heavily subsidised and is being dumped in the US.

The system limits waste and guarantees returns to suppliers by fixing the amount of dairy that can be produced.

Previous trade deals, like the recently-signed agreement with the European Union, have pushed Canada to increase market access for foreign dairy, especially cheese.

But debates over the textile rules of origin (ROO) requirements – specifically, how much of the production process must take place in a TPP country to qualify for preferential access to the US market – are ongoing.

Canada’s Conservative government maintains nothing significant will change once TPP is signed and ratified.

“We have been told that the Government expects to release the detail of the agreement after negotiations are complete”.

Key to the demands from US retailers and importers is that the TPP pact is based on global supply chains, and recognises that global brands might be making product in Vietnam from US cotton yet might be selling it in Japan or in Singapore.

But the pressure to do away with protectionist policies is mounting. Other countries negotiating the deal, especially Australia and New Zealand, have largely deregulated their dairy sector, and are hot on the trail for new markets.

The TPP is bitterly opposed by many on the left who want New Zealand’s involvement to be completely scrapped, but after a meeting of the Labour caucus this week the party has announced its support.

Labour has set out five “non-negotiable” conditions for a Pacific-wide trade deal, including protection for Pharmac and the right to restrict house sales. In fact, they are such a closely guarded secret that the only public source of information about them has been portions of the draft published by WikiLeaks. Thanks to President Barack Obama’s new Trade Promotion Authority powers, he can fast-track deals like the TPP, requiring an up-or-down vote that removes Congress’ ability to horse-trade and change the terms of an agreement.