October 1, 2015

THE BASICSTopic: Trans-Pacific Partnership

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/121476/trans-pacific-partnership-foundation-all-future-trade-deals

Articles “Leaked: What’s in Obama’s trade deal” (Politico) “What is the Trans-Pacific Partnership?” (10/5) (about news) “Obama confident trade deal will pass” (10/16) (The Hill) “Charted: What the landmark Trans-Pacific trade deal really means” (10/5) (Quartz) “Should We Care If The Trans-Pacific Partnership Is Approved?” (10/14) (Forbes)

Questions to Consider What is the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership? Which countries are included in the partnership? Which countries are considering joining the

Partnership? How large is the TPP in comparison to other trade agreements such as the European Union?

Why does size matter? How might the reduction of trade barriers on exports stimulate the economy? What regulations affect the digital economy? What impact might the restriction of governments’

right to shut off data flows mean for democracy? How might trade with China be affected? What are the advantages to bringing these fast

developing economies into the American sphere of influence? What exposure is there for middle-class workers if there is low cost competition from foreign

labor?

How are trade differences resolved between the TPP nations? What power do special tribunals have?

What are the environmental protections included in the agreement? When does the TPP take effect? When is the vote in the US Congress? What are the prospects

for it to pass? Why is the approval process a source of controversy? Is the vote a straight up and down or is

there a possibility to amend the agreement? How do Republicans fee about TPP? Why are some Democrats skeptical?

How has the TPP been a part of the 2016 presidential race? What is the TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance)? How does this plan to help American workers

displaced by global trade affect passage of the TPP? How does the fact that, in a previous vote, the package passed in the House is different than the

package in the Senate, affect the next voting procedure? What does the agreement mean for Oregon businesses like Nike? What are the arguments in favor of the deal? What are the arguments opposing the deal? Do changing technology and changing job opportunities mean that a new approach to the global

economy is needed? Why is the TPP important for both economic and political reasons? Why are future trading

opportunities both exciting and challenging?THE EXTRASPre-teaching, Extensions & Further Reading

“Trans-Pacific Partnership FAQ’s” (United States Trade Representative) “The Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Deal Explained in Plain English” (KQED News) “The TPP and the trade deals, for those who fall asleep hearing about trade deals” (The Washington

Post) Lesson Plans

“Hot debate over Trans-Pacific Partnership” (Morningside Center) “The Trading Game” (econedlink)

What’s the Connection? Constitutional

“Is the Trans-Pacific Partnership Unconstitutional?” (The Atlantic)Oregon

“Wyden, Blumenauer Defend TPP” (OPB)Students

“Free Trade and Children” (Unicef)

Oregon State Social Science Standards8.22. Distinguish among tariffs, quotas, and government policies as means to regulate trade.8.26. Examine a controversial event, issue, or problem from more than one perspective. HS.9. Identify historical and current events, issues, and problems when national interests and global interest have been in conflict, and analyze the values and arguments on both sides of the conflict. HS.33. Explain the role of government in various current events.HS.47. Explain how the global economy has developed and describe the involvement of free trade, comparative advantage, IMF, WTO, World Bank, and technology. HS.52. Explain how the American labor system impacts competition and trade in domestic and world markets. HS.59. Demonstrate the skills and dispositions needed to be a critical consumer of information.HS.60. Analyze an event, issue, problem, or phenomenon form varied or opposing perspectives or points of view.

CCSS Anchor Standards2. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.6. Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.7. Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words. 8. Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.

We the People Lesson ConnectionsMiddle School, Level 2

Unit 6, Lesson 28: What is the relationship of the United States to other nations in the world?

High School, Level 3 Unit 6, Lesson 38: What are the challenges of the participation of the United States in

world affairs?