Globalization involves the consolidation, partially through "free
trade" treaties, of economic and political power into the hands of transnational
corporations, without regard for labor rights, the environment, or national sovereignty.
The focus of our activities at present is to
stop the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas(FTAA)
treaty.
"Worldwide
economic and cultural harmonization is the goal," says one top U.S. WTO
official, who adds, "Basically, it won't stop until foreigners finally start to think
like Americans, act like Americans and - most of all - shop like Americans."
"A number of participants believe that a
Free Trade Area of the Americas can be successfully concluded only if the key Western
Hemisphere leaders demonstrate they have the political will to conclude the agreement.
However, some participants believe the United States has been distracted from pursuing
trade liberalization because it is without a domestic consensus on the benefits of free
trade and the way in which to handle the overlap between trade and labor rights and the
environment."