Washington talks reveal wide TPP gaps

[cali]

A four-day meeting in the U.S. capital of top negotiators from countries participating in Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks highlighted how difficult it is for the participants to close gaps in contentious areas.

The talks, which ended Saturday, were meant to pave the way for meetings of leaders and ministers from the TPP negotiating countries set for Indonesia next month. However, the results of the meeting here suggest the outcome of the talks for the multinational framework has become even more unpredictable ahead of the negotiation’s targeted year-end conclusion.

<snip>

Among the contentious areas is intellectual property, about which there remain deep differences between the United States, which aims to strengthen patent and other rights, and emerging countries, which want to obtain advanced technologies at lower costs.

<snip>

U.S. losing patience

On Thursday, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, the U.S. government’s top official in charge of the TPP talks, showed up at one of the rooms where the talks were being held. He said it was time for the participating countries to wrap up discussions as they had already been negotiating for a long time.

Froman’s remarks reflected the U.S. government’s desire to quickly conclude the TPP talks amid its frustration that they have lasted more than three years.

<snip>

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000658025

It's worth noting that this article like most actual news of the TPP comes from media outside the U.S. Those of us following the TPP issues know that virtually no news of it is in the U.S. media.

[Berlum]

1. "Move along. Nothing to see here." - Corporate Media, Inc.

[Fumesucker]

2. There really isn't a "personality" or "horse race" angle for the M$M to cover this from

So they have no idea what to do with it since policy is not something they are ever competent to discuss.

[cali]

3. that's a really good point.

alas.

[WCGreen]

5. They can't add motion to the story so they are ill equipped to cover

anything outside of confrontational politics.

Good point!

[bvar22]

8. There is no "Horse Race" or "controversy" because...

...the Leadership of BOTH the Republican Party and The "New Democrat" 3rd Way Party absolutely AGREE 100% on "Free Trade" and Union Busting.

[Laelth]

4. Let us hope the talks break down permanently.

Thanks for keeping us informed.

-Laelth

[The Magistrate]

9. That Would, Sir, Be The Preferred Outcome

[Laelth]

11. I'd be thrilled to read in the President's memoirs ...

... that he publicly backed the TPP but, behind the scenes, managed to throw in enough little monkey wrenches to derail the process. That would be brilliant, politically.

Only time will tell.

-Laelth

[bullwinkle428]

6. Thanks for keeping this issue front and center here at DU, cali.

K&R.

[jsr]

7. "Froman’s remarks reflected the U.S. government’s desire to quickly conclude the TPP talks"

Quickly AND Secretly.

[bvar22]

10. Quickly AND Secretly and with Fast Track Authority...

...so they can get this passed without debate or amendments
with an Up or Down vote,
probably after midnight on a Friday so that those who (once again) betray America's Working Class can sneak off and hide before the Sun comes up.

THose who stayed up to watch the CAFTA vote will remember.



You will know them by their [font size=3]WORKS.[/font]

[tiredtoo]

12. does anyone from the BOG

have a comment on this?