The Trans-Pacific Partnership, Part I: A deal too far
The release of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement last fall has unleashed a heated debate over its costs and benefits.
With the release of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), a debate has been growing over the so-called “trade” agreement among twelve Pacific Rim countries.
Should governments ratify the deal? Will it expand trade in a significant way? Who will be the winners and losers?
But defining winners and losers only in trade terms misses the much broader impacts of the TPP and hide the basis required for assessing its real impacts. In effect, it ignores the fact that the TPP's non-trade provisions, such as in the areas of investment and intellectual proper rights, threaten to exacerbate inequality.
It is time for Canada to say that this is a deal too far. Rather, Canada should use this as a jumping-off point to lead a new global dialogue on the right directions for trade agreements. Part 2 of this commentary will focus on how trade agreements should and can be instruments to support, rather than impede, achieving the globally adopted Sustainable Development Goals.
You might also be interested in
Unpacking National Investment Laws
This report explores how national investment laws regulate dispute settlement and suggests how to reform them to align with sustainable development and 21st-century policy objectives.
Navigating the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
A guide for exporters on navigating EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism costs and reporting from 2026 onward—with a focus on steel and aluminum.
Rethinking the Global Response to Deforestation
As the EUDR enters a new phase, global efforts to address deforestation are shifting from compliance to broader cooperation on forests, climate, and trade ahead of COP 31.
Decoding the Belt and Road Initiative’s Legal Architecture
This article unpacks the Belt and Road Initiative's legal architecture—covering hard law (such as treaties and contracts), soft law (such as memoranda of understanding), and the unique role of China's state-owned enterprises—and sets out recommendations for host country policy-makers on how to navigate this hybrid legal environment.