Related Information | WTO and International trade Policies

TPP Yarn-Forward Rule: Opposing Views Presented In Letters To Obama, USTR

The controversy over inclusion of a strong yarn-forward rule of origin in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that is currently being negotiated is evident in two letters sent last week - one from a bipartisan group of House members to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Ron Kirk and one from a bipartisan group of Senators to President Barack Obama — urging opposing positions on the rule. In their wake, textile, apparel and retail groups have released statements supporting one or the other of the two positions.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership and Asia-Pacific Integration: A Quantitative Assessment

Since the conclusion of the Uruguay Round the development of international trade rules has drifted from global to regional and bilateral agreements. The United States has not participated actively in this shift and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), now in negotiation, could become its first significant regional agreement since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The TPP is also a possible pathway to the larger Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). This study examines the potential benefits and costs of the TPP and its strategic implications for economic integration in the Asia-Pacific.

U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement Enters in to Force

The U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (Agreement) entered into force on March 15, 2012. One of the Agreement’s principal benefits is reduced duties on originating goods traded between the United States and the Republic of Korea (Korea).

USTR Tables TPP Labor Proposal that goes beyond May 10 template

The complete labor proposal tabled by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations late last month has aroused the ire of congressional Republicans, who object to the fact that it goes beyond the labor provisions included in the so-called May 10, 2007, template.The proposal, which remains confidential, does not alter the fundamental standards contained in the May 10 template, according to informed sources.

Declaration of the Vietnam Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS on the TPP & Access to medicines

"The Vietnamese Government is negotiating a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPPA) free trade agreement in with the US, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. We, the undersigned, declare our opposition to the TPPA as it puts the profits of multinational pharmaceutical companies ahead of the people’s right to health...."

Dangers for Access to Medicines in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Comparative Analysis of the U.S. Intellectual Property Proposal and Vietnamese Law

A comparision between a Leaked U.S. TPPA Proposal and Vietnamese Law On Intellectual Property

New Trade Deal Would Benefit Big Pharma At AIDS Programs' Expense

According to leaked documents from the talks, U.S. negotiators are seeking to impose a set of restrictive intellectual property laws that would help American drug companies secure long-term monopolies overseas. The result? Higher prices for drugs. That's good for corporate profits, but disastrous for relief programs like PEPFAR that depend on cheaper generic medications to treat the global poor.

Trans-Pacific Partnership: Far-reaching agreement could form powerful new trade bloc

Just what the global trading system needs: another acronym. The TPP, or Trans-Pacific Partnership to give it its full title, is a proposed trade agreement between, to put it politely, a disparate collection of nations.

Statement of Sean Flynn on USTR Release of White Paper on “Trans Pacific PartnershipTrade Goals to Enhance Access to Medicines”

The statement of the administration continues its practice of actively thwarting the release of meaningful information about its positions in closed door international law making. The statement says little about what the administration’s actual trade policy on medicines issues is or what justifies it.

Submission by Third World Network: “Possible Development implications of the TPP”

This is a presentation by the Third World Network on “Possible Development implications of the TPP” at Stakeholders’ Forum, held at the sidelines of the 7th Round of the TPP in Ho Chi Minh City.