Secret Trade Pacts Have Broad Ability to Thwart U.S. Regulations

Ed Brayton’s excellent investigative piece today for TWI’s sister site, The Michigan Messenger, raises a larger issue about how trade agreements often undercut domestic regulation of toxic industries, without the public ever really knowing about it.

It’s an issue that’s gotten lots of attention in other countries, such as More…

Secret Trade Pact Between U.S., Europe Could Permit Foreign Ownership of Hazardous Facilities

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative under the Bush administration struck a secret deal with the European Union that could open the door for foreign ownership of liquefied natural gas terminals and other dangerous chemical and energy facilities. The agreement could also create conditions in which federal, state and More…