Talk:General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

Controversies Section
Both archived Talk Pages show a suggestion to add a Controversies headline. Some of the research by Michael Parenti, PhD would be appropriate. For example, from the 9th edition of Democracy for the Few (pp.157-158): "One way to elevate the giant transnationals above the sovereign power of democratic constituencies is through “free trade” agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and similar agreements. As presented to the public, free trade does away with irksome regulatory laws, integrates national economies into a global trade system, and thereby creates more trade, more jobs and prosperity, a process called “globalization” that is treated as a natural development beneficial to all. The GATT agreements created the World Trade Organization (WTO), an international association of over 120 signatory nations. The WTO has the authority to overrule or dilute any laws of any nation deemed to burden the investment and market prerogatives of transnational corporations. It sets up three-member panels composed of “trade specialists” who exercise a decision-making power superior to that of any nation, thereby ensuring the supremacy of international finance capital. These panelists are drawn mostly from the corporate world; they meet in secret, are elected by no one, and operate with no conflict-of-interest strictures. Their function is to allow the transnational companies to do as they wish in pursuit of profit. No free-trade restrictions are directed against private business; almost all are against governments. Signatory governments must treat foreign companies the same as domestic ones, and honor all corporate patent claims made on the world’s natural resources. Should a country refuse to change its laws when a “free trade” panel so dictates, it can be fined or deprived of needed markets and materials. Free-trade edicts forced Japan to accept greater pesticide residues in imported food, prevented Guatemala from outlawing deceptive advertising on baby food, and suppressed a Guatemalan law that encouraged mothers to breast-feed their children (the law interfered with baby-food product opportunities)." — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:5CF:8000:6B60:883B:6D7:A3A7:2EA8 (talk) 13:42, 3 February 2024 (UTC)