Avaaz Reaction to Ministerial Statement On TPP Talks Ended

Avaaz Reaction to Ministerial Statement On TPP Talks Ended

The final scheduled ministerial round of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) concluded with a vague ministerial statement today after 4 days of talks.

Jamie Choi, Avaaz Campaign Director said:  
“The US was hellbent on sealing the super secretive deal this week, but people across the world have blown these talks open, and we’re seeing countries standing strong for what their citizens want. There are still huge splits on access to medicines, internet privacy and national sovereignty. People power is seeing off big business bullies -- it's great news for democracy.”

Rifts between parties to the TPP reflect public opposition in several key countries, including the US, according to a new Avaaz/IPSOS poll released over the weekend. Over 1.4 million people around the world have signed the Avaaz petition critical of the TPP. The group also released on its website an open-letter to negotiators penned by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz calling for serious changes in the talks.

The Obama administration has referred to the TPP as its “number one priority” on trade policy and vowed to finalize a deal in 2013 -- so failure to reach consensus this week is a major blow to the US trade agenda. Mr. Obama is also struggling domestically, where opposition to granting the President Fast Track Trade Promotion Authority from ¾ of House Democrats threatens to undermine any agreement eventually reached by negotiators.

ENDS

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