Environmentalists, unions protest Pacific trade pact in Maui

Source: AP

BY AUDREY McAVOY

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Opponents of a Pacific Rim trade deal being negotiated at a Maui resort demonstrated against the proposed pact Wednesday.

A couple of dozen members of locally based labor unions and environmental groups gathered at Kaanapali Beach fronting the Westin Maui hotel in Lahaina.

Protest organizers said in a statement the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement would benefit a few major corporations while sacrificing protections for public health, the environment, local jobs and indigenous rights.

Ministers negotiating at the resort this week are from 12 nations: the United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

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