With all the trade-fright rampant in the mainstream press, where do you go for real analysis?  In our continuing efforts to offer timely, valuable information related to trade and globalization developments, without falling into the either-or cookie cutter pitfalls currently offered up, Trade Justice Alliance is pleased to present an educational introduction to trade in the Asia-Pacific region and the U.S. responses to it, including military policy at home and abroad. We also discuss the possible realities behind some of Trump's recent decisions on tariffs, trade wars and renegotiations. And importantly, how will our messaging be impacted as we recognize the crossroads at the intersection of free trade and the demand for people-centered trade.  

We are pleased to have the opportunity to welcome Arnie Saiki with Moana Nui Action Alliance-Hawaii and Los Angeles.  In this capacity, Arnie was a coordinator for the Moana Nui conferences, a partnership between the International Forum on Globalization and Pua Mohala I Ka Po.

Arnie has continued campaigning on issues related to globalization and trade, development and militarization in the Pacific region.

His piece, “TPP at the End of the Line: a briefing on economic cooperation and capacity building” was published in September, 2017 in American Quarterly by Johns Hopkins University Press.

Arnie will inform us about the realities of the Belt and Road Initiative and its role in trade and commerce within the multilateral system. He will give background context about the BRI, the US provocations against China and whether they are well-justified.

Also joining us will be Celeste Drake, Trade and Globalization Policy Specialist with AFL-CIO.  Celeste will discuss current and historical corporate trade policies and how they affect working people.  As Celeste says, “When "trade agreements" are treated as diplomatic instruments instead of economic instruments, it is working people who get caught in the crossfire.” She will discuss sustainable trade models and alternatives to the current flawed free trade policy that is so reviled by working families and those concerned with climate change and environmental destruction.  Celeste will also discuss ideas from “The Sustainable Equitable Trade Doctrine” by Todd Tucker and “Free Trade Doesn’t Work” by Ian Fletcher.

We will also hear from Jan Weinberg, founder, Show Up! America, and participating member of the Divest From the War Machine Coalition.  Jan will discuss a brief history of the intersection of international trade and military "projection of power" along the trade routes - to the consequences of the contemporary United States involvement with Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Chinese Belt Road Initiative (BRI).

Speaker Resources

Arnie Saiki:

“The belt and road to democratized globalization”

http://www.summitzine.com/posts/the-belt-and-road-to-democratized-globalization/

Interview with Lee Camp of Redacted Tonight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmYGlIaLTLA

Celeste Drake:

Don’t Let Wall Street Profiteers Scare You: Trade Enforcement vs Trade War

https://aflcio.org/2018/3/6/dont-let-wall-street-profiteers-scare-you-trade-enforcement-trade-war

As always, we look forward to a lively question and answer forum, so please join us!