President Obama is pursuing what are arguably the most aggressive trade talks in a generation

[jsr]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/from-a-skeptical-beginning-obama-has-set-a-global-round-of-trade-talks-in-motion/2013/03/08/1a4af06a-85e5-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html

From a skeptical beginning, Obama has set a global round of trade talks in motion
By Howard Schneider, Friday, March 8, 2013 5:50 PM

President Obama is pursuing what are arguably the most aggressive trade talks in a generation, an unexpectedly broad initiative for a politician who has been critical of free-trade agreements.

Taken together, the negotiations are global in ambition, encompassing Europe and potentially much of Asia and covering economic sectors that are particularly important to the United States. Even major economies not directly at the table — notably China, India and Brazil — are meant to be influenced by the outcome.

If the effort pays off, it could boost some of America’s most competitive and important companies. Finance and consulting firms would be able to move more deeply into Europe, Japan and some developing countries. Technology leaders would have freedom to source their software and place their computers where it makes the most economic sense. The biotech industry would see longer patent protections, and carmakers could get access to the coveted Japanese auto market.

The risks are the same ones critics have attributed to earlier pacts, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement: that liberalized rules will drain more jobs from the United States than they create and undermine today’s leading-edge sectors the way textiles, automobiles and steel were weakened in the past.

[forestpath]

1. Greasing the skids for American workers.

[duffyduff]

3. He's a good ol' neoliberal

Milton Friedman would be proud of him.

[Arctic Dave]

5. Neoliberal/PNAC with a nice smile.

Oh, and a whole lot of sock puppets to keep the bullshit shined.

[MotherPetrie]

4. Who cares about American workers as long as the oligarchs make out like bandits?

Certainly not President Obama.

[frylock]

6. only rodman could go to north korea

[Populist_Prole]

7. Finance and consulting?

Fuck those assholes and those entire "industries".

Just another "Look over there!" fluff piece trying to whitewash the effect of free trade on the US working class.

GRRRR!!!

[JDPriestly]

8. The Obama administration is stupid to be doing this.

Each and every trade agreement has hurt America. Not a one has helped us. What a waste.

[Egalitarian Thug]

9. As written earlier, 2014. The worst thing that could happen is for the Democratic Party to gain

control of the legislature, that would remove the fig leaf of feigned helplessness they all hide behind.

[Nye Bevan]

10. I like Obama's policies on free trade (nt)