The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Reaching behind the border,challenging democracy

Abstract

In an era where legally binding international trade agreements are increasingly shaping domestic regulation in a wide range of areas, the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement between the US, Australia, Japan and nine other Pacific Rim Countries, representing over 40% of world trade, has been described as setting the standards for 21st century trade agreements. This article analyses why the negotiations have dragged on for 5 years, and the resistance to the potential impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement on national democratic decision-making on health, environmental and other public interest regulation.

Keywords

Australian trade policy democracy ISDS Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement US trade policy

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