So she can then pass the European equivalent.

Baby steps.

just my $0.02

which I personally think is bullshit. Corporate pressures is another part.

It's TPP, btw

China's emergence as an economy, a centrally planned economy almost as large as the US (and one can assume eventually surpassing all of North America's combined populations, presents a massive power imbalance in trade negotiations for the rest of the century. Locking in trade alliances with Pacific Rim states now is probably the only way to keep them from eventually asserting a leverage over SE Asia, Japan, South Korea, and Pacific South America that, say, Europe and the United States exercise over Africa and all of Latin America.

There's a long history, going back to before the US was around, of China exacting tributes and economically pushing its surrounding neighbors around. As China continues to emerge from its self imposed isolation, countries like Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines are understandably nervous about this dynamic reemerging. To them the US presents a strong counterbalance for keeping China playing fair in future diplomatic & economic conflicts.

Obviously US and multinational corporations are using this opportunity and their undue influence to give themselves leverage over whatever may go on in any local economy and prevent new rivals from emerging. The current treaty stinks. But the threat of Chinese economic aggression is a very real concern and Obama is smart to take that on now rather than pass the buck along to a future administration--something the Bush administration did by getting so distracted in the MidEast that they never made any effort to contain China's power.

... right now, our current trade policy — the status quo — puts our workers and businesses at a disadvantage, with higher costs for American goods, more barriers to trade, and lower standards for workers and the environment abroad than we have at home.

That is why President Obama has concluded negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership and will now work with Congress to secure its passage into law. The TPP is a trade agreement with 11 other countries in the Asia-Pacific, including Canada and Mexico that will eliminate over 18,000 taxes various countries put on Made-in-America products.

With the TPP, we can rewrite the rules of trade to benefit America’s middle class. Because if we don’t, competitors who don’t share our values, like China, will step in to fill that void.

That is why the President’s trade policy is the best tool we have to ensure that our workers, our businesses, and our values are shaping globalization and the 21st century economy, rather than getting left behind.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/economy/trade

More from link above:

America’s trade policy may seem remote and technical, but it has a significant impact on the strength of our economy and the lives of millions of Americans. If the businesses you buy from everyday also sell their products to customers abroad, they are more likely to expand and support jobs here at home.

Why is that? Ninety-five percent of the world’s consumers live outside our borders. Our Made-in-America products and services are in demand, making American exports a vital pillar of our 21st century economy. In fact, exports played an indispensable role in America’s resurgence from the Great Recession.So, when the rules are fair, Americans can out-compete anyone in the world.

The President's trade deal eliminates over 18,000 taxes that various countries put on US goods and services.

Last year, we broke the record in American exports for the fifth year in a row, selling $2.34 trillion in goods and services abroad. And here’s why that’s important: The more we sell abroad, the more higher-paying jobs we support here at home. And those jobs tend to pay Americans better, meaning companies that export pay up to 18% more than companies that don’t. . . . . . .

_______________

Personally, I believe that long-term our ability to provide health care, education, improved social security, basic income, etc., is dependent upon a growing world wide economy. I also think poor workers in foreign countries deserve a better chance. If one doesn't care about them, then at least consider that it will mean more and better jobs here than trading among ourselves.

people think.

They basically make changes that roll back the advances of the last few decades on a supranational level, so no matter what we or other countries vote for certain changes will be made irreversible and impossible by international law.

The changes energy exploration will restrict any laws on fracking by countries, or states, cities, allowing unlimited fracking and exporting of natural gas until its gone, and in services will block affordable health care for example.

The rules will also make it easier for big US drug firms to buy companies in other countries that make high quality generic drugs - buy them against their will (if they are public companies) and then shut them down to eliminate competition that lowers the price of drugs.

They hate the fact that there are generic drugs after 20 years.

This is a book on the TPP.
http://works.bepress.com/matthew_rimmer/178/