Sierra Club Statement on Secretary Clinton's Opposition to a Lame Duck Vote on TPP

In response to a questionnaire released today by the Oregon Fair Trade Campaign, Secretary Hillary Clinton stated for the first time that she opposes a vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal during the lame duck session of Congress at the end of this year. She also frontlined a commitment to "ensure that our trade policy supports, rather than undermines, our climate policies.

In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:

"The Trans-Pacific Partnership would be a disaster for working families, communities, and our climate, and we applaud Secretary Clinton for opposing a vote on the toxic deal before and after the election. Secretary Clinton recognizes what climate activists and millions of Americans across the country have made clear: trade policy must not undermine climate action.

"It is so critical for the next Administration to strongly and explicitly oppose any trade rules that allow polluters to challenge climate protections in private tribunals. The Sierra Club is eager to work with current and future leaders to build a new model of trade that protects working families, healthy communities, and a stable climate."

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More information:

• Read the Sierra Club's report on how the Trans-Pacific Partnership would empower polluters to challenge our climate protections in private tribunals here: sc.org/climate-roadblocks
• Read Secretary Clinton's questionairre responses here: https://www.citizenstrade.org/ctc/oregon/files/2016/05/ORFTCPresidentialQuestionnaire_Clinton2016.pdf
• When asked "If elected President, would you oppose holding a vote on the TPP during the 'lame duck' session before you take office?" Secretary Clinton responded, "I have said I oppose the TPP agreement - and that means before and after the election."
• Secretary Clinton's responses on climate disruption are as follows:
• Do you believe the rules that govern international trade should reflect the views and needs of working people on issues such as jobs, wages, the environment, human rights, consumer safety and access to medicine? I've laid out a three-part test for any trade agreement to earn my support: it must (1) create American jobs, (2) raise wages, and (3) improve our national security. My approach to trade would be to establish and enforce fair rules so that our workers compete on a level playing field and countries don't race to the bottom on labor, the environment, and so much else. And we can bring others along in having higher labor, environmental, and other standards. As president I will ensure that our trade policy supports, rather than undermines, our climate policies, reducing emissions at home and encouraging climate action abroad. I'll make sure that trade agreements don't weaken American consumer safety standards and that imports comply with our rules. And I'll fight against any proposals that undermine worker rights.
• Do you believe the TPP does enough to address climate change? I do not. As president I will ensure that our trade policy supports, rather than undermines, our policies to reduce emissions at home and encourage climate action abroad. I know there is concern among environmental groups that the ISDS provisions in the TPP could be used to undermine U.S. efforts to cut carbon pollution and take action on climate change. And again, with respect to the flawed ISDS provisions in TPP, I believe we need to have a new paradigm for trade agreements that doesn't give special rights to corporations, but not to workers and NGOs.