TPP

Details of Pacific Trade Pact Fuel Debate
by: William Maudlin
Nov 06, 2005
Click here to view the full article on WSJ.com

TOPICS: International Trade

SUMMARY: A public battle brewed over whether to ratify the sweeping Pacific trade agreement that the U.S. concluded with 11 countries, after details of the deal were released. Related article: A currency pact accompanying a Pacific trade agreement unveiled Thursday will give Washington new tools to prevent trading partners from manipulating currencies to gain trade advantage, U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said.

CLASSROOM APPLICATION: Students can analyze the potential winners (exporters and labor employed in export industries in member countries, and consumers) and losers (importers in member countries and labor employed in import industries) of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Students can also examine the effect of the agreement on the environment.

QUESTIONS: 
1. (Introductory) Who are the winners and losers of the TPP identified in the article?

2. (Advanced) What is the concern of U.S. labor unions about the TPP?

3. (Advanced) Why are some Republicans opposed to the TPP?

4. (Advanced) Why are environmental groups opposed to the TPP?

5. (Advanced) What is the issue of "currency abuse" in the context of international trade?

Reviewed By: James Dearden, Lehigh University