Under Free trade regimes like the TPP, investor protections trump clean water, climate, and sovereignty, with the deregulation of environmental protections, and the thwarting of conservation measures being central features of the agreements.

Privatization of public resources by unaccountable global corporate interests is at the core of corporate globalization, and one of the most environmentally devastating of all global investment industries is the mining industry.

Under modern free trade deals, monopolistic mining interests, through the Investor-State Dispute Settlement process, are legally authorized to sue countries where they are invested, should a law or regulation in the public interest be perceived as a barrier to future mining profit.

The suits are carried out in unaccountable offshore tribunals by 3 corporate lawyers that switch between representing corporations and countries, and the outcomes are final-there is no appeal process.

Under these bad trade models, resource-rich countries like the Philippines (considering joining the TPP) become heavily indebted to foreign investors, paying the price both socially and environmentally, for the theft of their natural resources.

If the TPP or TTIP are passed by Congress, the United States will newly open itself up to suits by foreign corporate interests from numerous other countries and thousands of newly empowered investors. If Congress approves these bad deals, there will be no going back for a do-over. We must all join together to stop the TPP.

Sunday, August 7, Trade Justice Alliance is pleased to welcome Jaybee Garganera, the National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina (Alliance to Stop Mining) in the Philippines, and co-author of the report, Signing Away Sovereignty: How Investment Agreements Threaten Regulation of the Mining Industry in the Philippines.

Also with us will be Lauren Waugh from the Columbia Center for Sustainable Development

We also will also be featuring a strong legislative strategy with tactics and messaging for The August Recess with Rose Espinola, National Field Director, Public Citizen's Global Tradewatch;

First hand Inside reporting straight out of the Philly-Busters Democratic National Convention's Stop the TPP coordinated effort ;

and reports from the Marches at the DNC including the TPP Contingent in the Clean Energy March and the GMO / TPP March with Dr. Margaret Flowers, Flush the TPP and Carlos Martinez on the GMO / TPP March.  

As usual, Trade Justice Alliance seeks to educate and activate, so please invite your contacts to this webinar.