The San Francisco Board of Supervisors last night joined the growing chorus to stop fast track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by unanimously passing a resolution opposing Trade Promotion Authority for the TPP. San Francisco joins another major West Coast port city – Seattle – in opposing a fast-tracked TPP that would have broad and potentially devastating consequences to California’s economy, environment and public health.
The resolution, supported by the San Francisco Labor Council and submitted by Supervisor John Avalos, outlines the myriad reasons to oppose fast track for the TPP, including its negative impact on Bay Area jobs and workers. The resolution also details concerns about the trade deal’s effect on limiting freedom on the internet and allowing foreign countries and global corporations to game the system to America’s disadvantage.
The resolution, in part, reads:
“WHEREAS, The growing trade deficits exacerbated by NAFTA and GATT displaced nearly 700,000 jobs, and trade deficits with China since China’s accession to the World Trade Organization have resulted in the loss of 3.2 million jobs, more than 2 million of them in manufacturing; and
“WHEREAS, The off-shoring of manufacturing and service jobs deprives local, state, and federal governments of sorely needed revenues, jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions of federal, state, county, and municipal employees and construction workers whose jobs depend upon infrastructure building, repair, and maintenance.
“WHEREAS, The City and County of San Francisco strongly supports international fair trade practices and agreements that foster economic growth and technological innovation along with high standards for workers, the environment, free speech, privacy rights, and protection of whistleblowers.”
The resolution closes by urging the San Francisco Congressional delegation to vote to reject fast track of the TPP and to consider a wide range of fair trade provisions in any future agreements that would protect workers, the environment and a free and open internet.
