The government of Chile plans to send the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement to its Congress for approval by the end of this year. The 12-nation agreement aims to liberalize trade business in 40 percent of the world’s economy. However, the agreement is struggling in the U.S. as both major-party presidential candidates have spoken out against the deal. Criticism of the deal by unions in some of the country’s member states has been fierce. Opponents have accused the negotiators of not being transparent enough. Groups protesting TPP have joined with groups that are pushing for radical reform in the education and pension systems. The Chilean President said the agreement will benefit the country while it also has protections built in for some of the country’s more sensitive areas. Chile already has bilateral agreements with other members of TPP but this would deepen its links to those countries.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.