Transpacific Partnership Agreement

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The Transpacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is planned to be an extension of an existing agreement between New Zealand, Singapore, Chile and Brunei. So far the US, Australia, Peru, Vietnam and Malaysia have joined the negotiations. Japan, Canada, Mexico and others have shown interest. It could eventually cover most of the Asia Pacific region. The US wants it to be completed by the end of 2012, although the complexity of the agreement means this is unlikely.

The TPPA is much more than a trade agreement. Trade is only a small part of it. The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions is concerned that it will stop future New Zealand governments from doing things that are in the interests of working people and most New Zealanders. Similar agreements the US has signed impose policies that New Zealand voters have repeatedly voted down and would oppose if they had the choice. The CTU opposes the TPPA unless it is shown to be in the national interest.

The documents on this page explain more about the TPPA and the response of the CTU and unions internationally. 

AttachmentSize
CTU Leaflet on the TPPA.pdf135.51 KB
TPPA Transparency Letter.pdf18.25 KB
TPPA Investment Letter.pdf28.98 KB
Why Are We Worried About the TPPA.pdf862.17 KB
Labour Rights, Investment and the TPPA.ppt309 KB
Income Inequality and the TPPA.ppt291.5 KB

TPPA - The Most Recent Releases

PM’s claim of $3b benefits from TPPA completely without evidence
05 Dec 2012

 
A claim by the Prime Minister yesterday that “a Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement could boost New Zealand's economy by more than $3 billion a year” is completely without any evidence says CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg.
 

Economic Bulletin 141: Deep concerns about the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement
01 Dec 2012

November 2012

 

The fifteenth round of negotiations of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) will take place in Auckland from 3-12 December.

Government must clarify right to sue clause
14 Jun 2012

CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg calls on the government to clarify its position on giving foreign investors the right to sue the government. Statements by the Minister of Trade Negotiations that the government will not compromise New Zealand’s right to regulate are disingenuous.

Update from the Melbourne TPPA Negotiations
22 Mar 2012

The following is a report on the 1-9 March 2012 round of TPPA negotiations in Melbourne, attended by Bill Rosenberg from 2-6 March, along with union representatives from Australia, the International Trade Union Confederation (Brussels) and many other non-governmental groups and individuals.

TPPA framework shows leaders only listening to business
14 Nov 2011

The leaders' "framework" of where they consider the Transpacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) should head unfortunately shows they have been listening only to the concerns of business, and shown little concern to the voices of unions and other organisations says CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg.

TPPA - More movement on customs queues than dairy exports
14 Sep 2011

The Transpacific Partnership talks in Chicago are showing signs of the mounting conflicts both inside and outside the secret negotiations. Dr. Bill Rosenberg, CTU Economist, is in Chicago during this round of the TPPA negotiations.

CTU President concerned at direction of US-New Zealand Council meeting in Christchurch
18 Feb 2011

NZCTU President Helen Kelly says she is concerned at the direction the US-New Zealand Council is taking over the Transpacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations in its meeting in Christchurch over the weekend. She is a member of the Council and has attended several meetings, including one in Washington, over the last two years. She has decided not to attend the Christchurch meeting.

CTU has major concerns regarding Transpacific Partnership Agreement negotiations
06 Dec 2010

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions is very concerned at the directions being taken in the Transpacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiations, which will begin another round in Auckland on Monday. CTU and other union representatives will be in Auckland to observe the negotiations.

Transpacific Partnership Agreement
03 Dec 2010

The Transpacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is planned to be an extension of an existing agreement between New Zealand, Singapore, Chile and Brunei. So far the US, Australia, Peru, Vietnam and Malaysia have joined the negotiations. Japan, Canada, Mexico and others have shown interest. It could eventually cover most of the Asia Pacific region.

Trade unions in TPPA countries call for a fairer trade framework friendly to working people
15 Mar 2010

In an historic move, peak bodies of Trans Pacific trade unions have called for a new and fairer framework for trade and investment agreements.