*If you haven’t yet paid attention to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, here are some reasons you should: First, many political, business and international trade relations observers believe it will affect Latinos – in the U.S. and in Latin America. Second, it’s been in the works for a decade and will soon come up for fast-track approval in congress. Third, many of the themes and concernes that came up years ago with NAFTA are being repeated. And fourth, if you read between the very obvious lines, TPP isn’t so much about trade for trade’s sake as it is a way to contain China – so it’s not about business, it’s really about geopolitics. That said, many claim there’s a direct link between the U.S.’s shoving match with China and the ability of Latinos to make a living.

Here’re some links to get you started. The Carmona commentary is there to provide perspective, we don’t endorse his POV, we repsect our Taquista’s intelligence and ability to make up their own minds. The Krugman piece is the most recent one, published today. The others are primers – Washington Post and BBC – for basic information. VL

TPP at the NABE

By Paul Krugman, The New York Times

I was in DC yeaterday, giving a talk to the National Association of Business Economists. The subject ws the Trans-Pacific Patrnership.

Not to keep you in suspense, I’m thumbs down. I don’t think the proposal is likely to be the terrible, worker-destroying pact some progressives assert, but it doesn’t look like a good thing either for the world or for the United States, and you have to wonder why the Obama administration, in particular, would consider devoting any political capital to getting this through.

Click HERE to read the full story.

Time for Menendez to Stand Against TPP for the Sake of Latinos Nationwide

By Arturo Carmona, Roll Call

Often when we talk about the immigration reform crisis in America, from the left or right, we forget how 11 million economic refugees found themselves in the United States without documentation. We neglect to mention the economic forces that drove families north in search of jobs to provide for children and grandparents.

Latinos know better than anyone what “free trade” really means: a global race-to-the-bottom on wages, working conditions, consumer protection and environmental regulations that have devastated and impoverished communities across the globe.

This is the case with the newest of these deals, the misleadingly named Trans-Pacific Partnership.

And still, one of our most prominent leaders in the Latino community, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., has yet to come out against this race-to-the-bottom deal, despite the havoc these deals have caused in the past. More alarming, Fast Track, the legislation that would allow the TPP to pass without meaningful Congressional review, is likely to be introduced this week, meanwhile Menendez has remained silent about his position on Fast Track.

Click HERE to read the full story.

Everything you need to know about the Trans Pacific Partnership

By Lydia DePillis, Washington Post

If you’re just now hearing about the Trans-Pacific Partnership, don’t worry: It’s not too late to get up to speed. Negotiations over the huge trade agreement — which, when finished, will govern 40 percent of U.S.’ imports and exports — were supposed to wrap up this past weekend in Singapore, but, well, they didn’t quite make that deadline, which means meetings will likely continue into the new year.

You’d also be forgiven for not hearing about it: The talks, as with all trade agreements, have been conducted largely in secret. Global health advocates, environmentalists, Internet activists and trade unions have deep concerns about what the deal might contain, and are making as much noise as possible in order to influence negotiations before a final version becomes public. Here’s what you need to know.

Click HERE to read the full story.

TPP: What is it and why does it matter?

By BBC

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is one of the most ambitious free trade agreements ever attempted.

Its supporters have billed it as a pathway to unlock future growth of the countries involved in the pact.

The critics have been equally vociferous, not least because of the secrecy surrounding the negotiations of the agreement.

But despite the criticism, the countries involved have been pushing for a deal to be reached soon and they are confident that even more economies will want to join the pact in the coming years.

So what exactly is the TPP?

It is a proposed free trade deal currently being negotiated between 11 countries.

Click HERE to read the full story.