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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPentagon Chief, Ashton Carter, "TPP "As Important to Me as Another Aircraft Carrier"
Pentagon Chief: TPP "As Important to Me as Another Aircraft Carrier"
In the United States, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has urged Congress to give President Obama fast-track authority to seal the secret Transpacific Partnership Trade Deal currently being negotiated between the United States and 11 Latin American and Asian countries. Speaking at Arizona State University ahead of a trip to Asia, Carter touted the Obama administrations so-called rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific region, saying it should include both new, high-end weaponry and the trade deal, which covers 40 percent of the global economy.
Carter compared the deal to a new aircraft carrier.
Source:
http://www.democracynow.org/2015/4/7/headlines#475
And THIS:====================================================================
Pentagon chief backs Obama trade powers
By Vicki Needham - 04/06/15 03:15 PM EDT
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Monday jumped into the contentious debate over trade policy, urging Congress to approve the fast-track authority that President Obama is seeking for a massive Asia-Pacific agreement.
The Pentagon chief said trade policy is closely linked to U.S. military strength and the pivot to the Pacific Rim, and said passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is as important to me as another aircraft carrier.
"TPP would deepen our alliances and partnerships abroad and underscore our lasting commitment to the Asia-Pacific," Carter said at Arizona State Universitys McCain Institute. "And it would help us promote a global order that reflects both our interests and our values.
Carter said that the 12-nation TPP agreement would strengthen key alliances and bolster the nations commitment to the Asia-Pacific.
I never forget that our military strength ultimately rests on the foundation of our vibrant, unmatched and growing economy, he said.
The Obama administrations aggressive trade push has created a rift between congressional Democrats and the White House.
Liberal House Democrats along with labor unions and some environmental and faith groups argue trade deals are a proven a job-killer and say the new agreements repeat past mistakes.
But the administration is applying heavy pressure on Democrats to go along with passage of a new trade promotion authority (TPA) bill, which would guarantee that any trade deal negotiated by Obama receive an up-or-down vote in Congress. The White House said the powers are needed before the TPP can be completed.
Carter swung through Arizona on his way to Japan a member of the TPP talks and the worlds third largest economy where he will discuss the regions security issues. The visit comes ahead of Japans Prime Minister Shinzō Abes visit to Washington later this month.
Carter, who is just the latest Cabinet official to wade into the prickly trade debate, argued that time is running out for the United States to complete the TPP.Without a deal, the United States risks squandering a chance to gain access to Asia's growing markets, he argued. He said the accord, which negotiators are hoping to complete this spring, would increase U.S. exports by $123.5 billion over the next decade.
We already see countries in the region trying to carve up these markets, forging many separate trade agreements in recent years, some based on pressure and special arrangements rather than openness and principles, Carter said.
We all must decide if we are going to let that happen, he said.
Last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he hoped the fast-track bill and TPP would get done this year, but warned time is running short.
The window of opportunity for completing trade agreements is tied to this calendar year, he said Friday.
More at:
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/238009-pentagon-chief-backs-obama-trade-powers
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arcane1
(38,613 posts)Sounds about right!
djean111
(14,255 posts)I will never vote again for any politician who votes for and/or shills for Fast Track or the TPP.
Because they won't be Democrats, as far as I am concerned.
Vincardog
(20,234 posts)KoKo
(84,711 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)I doubt that anyone high in the military would argue that a fascist government would be the easiest to defend.
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)Yeah.. We have 20 aircraft carriers in service. The next biggest navy on the planet has... 4. As a matter of fact we have more than all the other countries in the world put together.
Fucking war mongering assholes. I really need a ride off this shitty rock.
nationalize the fed
(2,169 posts)In addition to his public service, Carter was a Senior Partner at Global Technology Partners, focused on advising investment firms in technology and defense. He has been a consultant to Goldman Sachs and Mitretek Systems on international affairs and technology matters, and speaks frequently to business and policy audiences.
He was also a member of the Boards of Directors of the MITRE Corporation and Mitretek Systems and the Advisory Boards of MIT Lincoln Laboratory and Draper Laboratory. Carter was also a member of the Aspen Strategy Group, the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Physical Society, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Carter was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashton_Carter
Next Step- Fast Track- both R and D want it, it was in both parties platform.
After that- passage, maybe it will be by a close vote to keep the illusion going.
It's a done deal.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)grasswire
(50,130 posts)Really important.
appal_jack
(3,813 posts)HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)This must have been what it was like in the last days of the 9th Legion
Monk06
(7,675 posts)in every trade agreement between China and SE Asia, Japan and the rest of the Pacific Rim?
Good luck getting Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia to go along with the US calling the shots in the China Sea. It ain't going to happen. Vietnam may accede to pressure from the US because of China's encroachment on it's oil resources but the rest of the group will be less sanguine.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)but is that realistic given that we always put into our "agreements" that we will protect these countries? It means they don't have to spend their OWN money on Defense.....because we USA Taxpayers will pay to keep them safe? Just "sign on the dotted line" our Trade Agreement and you have the Full Faith and Military Power on your side going forward.
We will take care of you! That's an amazing amount of "trade off" of Arms and Defense Protection under "the Cover of a Trade Deal" that most countries would love because they don't have to spend for their own defense...and they get some "Freebie Trade Stuff" which they can sell to their people with the bonus that USA will protect them or give them Armaments to Protect Themselves included in the TPP just for signing up.
Monk06
(7,675 posts)So that's one thing he is on the same page with Obama.
antigop
(12,778 posts)BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)Credit where credit is due.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)We are so screwed.
fadedrose
(10,044 posts)The people in politics I love most (Obama, the VP, Carter) are 300% for TPP, and Warren seems to be against it.
I am going to be for it when I see any of my favorites for it, and against it when I see people like Warren against it. This will keep me sane and not fighting with myself.