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From VOA Learning English, |
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this is the Economics Report. |
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Top trade officials reported progress, |
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but no final deal after meets |
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in Singapore earlier this month. |
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They met to discuss details of the proposed |
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Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP. |
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The plan calls for removing non-tariff |
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trade requirements among 12 Pacific nations. |
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Supporters say the TPP would make trade easier, |
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create jobs and help the economy of those countries. |
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But critics say some of the requirements exist |
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to help protect individuals, workers and the environment. |
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The 12 nations are responsible |
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for about one-third of all world trade. |
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They include Australia, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, |
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Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States. |
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Trade officials are set to restart talks in January. |
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Negotiators are attempting to settle several disputes. |
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The United States wants Japan |
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to end restrictions on American-made automobiles. |
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Some nations are arguing over |
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intellectual property rights for films and music. |
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Experts say earlier trade deals |
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cut tariffs and other payments, |
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this made it less costly to move goods |
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from one nation to another. |
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Supporters say lower costs increases trade. |
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Charles Boustany is a congressman |
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from the American state of Louisiana. |
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He notes that in 2011, |
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trade exports and imports of goods and services |
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with TPP countries supported nearly 15 million jobs |
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in the United States. |
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The Trans Pacific Partnership is an attempt to increase trade |
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by making rules similar from one nation to another. |
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Lori Wallach works with the American activist group Public Citizen. |
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He says some government rules for importing |
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or exporting goods are necessary. |
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He says they protect the environment and the health of workers |
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and people who buy imported goods. |
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Lori Wallach says the TPP is more about politics than trade. |
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He says big companies have used secretive trade negotiations |
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to get things done that Congress would not approve. |
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He says rules that make work conditions safe |
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or protect health are under attack |
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if they are defined as a barrier to the international trade. |
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Opposition from labor and consumer protection groups |
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means the proposed deal faces an uncertain future in Washington. |
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The agreement has to be confirmed by many national legislatures, |
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including the U.S. Congress. |
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Supporters of the TPP are seeking to prevent Congress |
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from making changes to any agreement reached at the trade talks. |
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And that's the Economics Report for VOA Learning English. |
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I'm Christopher Cruise. |
