Title
To oppose the fast tracking of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and to support fair trade practices that protect residents, workers, businesses and the environment.
Body
WHEREAS, trade officials from the United States and eleven Pacific Rim nations have been engaged in negotiations to sign a Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP); and
WHEREAS, the stated goals of the TPP are to enhance trade and investment among the TPP partner countries, promote innovation, economic growth and development, and support the creation and retention of jobs; and
WHEREAS, the TPP will cover all aspects of commercial relations among the member countries, including policy matters related to intellectual property, labor, human rights, agriculture, natural resources, the environment, government procurement, financial services, healthcare, telecommunications and energy; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus strongly supports international fair trade practices and agreements that promote economic growth, technological innovation and high worker, health, safety and environment standards; and
WHEREAS, provisions believed to be contained in the TPP could undermine current local and national worker protections, and health, safety and environmental safeguards while stripping the City of Columbus of needed protections for our residents, workers, businesses and the environment; and
WHEREAS, trade rules should promote the creation of family-wage jobs, encourage shared prosperity, protect our environment, ensure the safety of food and other products, facilitate the revitalization of U.S. manufacturing, set responsible protections of intellectual property, and maintain local authority to establish reasonable regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Trade Promotion Authority (also known as “Fast Track authority”) is being sought to allow for the negotiation of a TPP agreement that Congress would only be able to approve or disapprove, but not amend; and
WHEREAS, the TPP is being negotiated wit...
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