Forced, Not “Free”
Below is an excellent and concise overview, exerpted from a report recently prepared by the Committee on Government Reform for Rep. Henry Waxman, of how US free trade agreements have forced developing countries to adopt policies that significantly undermine their ability to provide access to essential medicines:
In 2001, 142 countries, including the United States, adopted the Doha Declaration, an international agreement that trade obligations should be interpreted and implemented in ways that protect public health and access to essential medications. In August 2002, the U.S. Congress passed the Trade Promotion Authority Act, which directs adherence to the Doha Declaration in U.S. trade negotiations.
Since the adoption of the Doha Declaration and the passage of the Trade Promotion Authority Act, the Bush Administration has signed and Congress has ratified bilateral free trade agreements with three developing countries: Chile, Singapore, and Morocco. The Administration has signed one regional free trade agreement, commonly referred to as CAFTA, with five Central American nations and the Dominican Republic, and a bilateral agreement with Bahrain. Six more free trade agreements with 13 developing countries have been initiated, including a proposed agreement with four Andean nations. Negotiations have also continued on the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA).
At the request of Rep. Henry A. Waxman, this report examines whether the Administration is complying with the Doha Declaration in its pursuit of these trade agreements. The report finds that contrary to the Doha Declaration, U.S. trade negotiators have repeatedly used the trade agreements to restrict the ability of developing nations to acquire medicines at affordable prices.
In effect, the President’s trade representatives have elevated the protection of pharmaceutical patents above the pressing health needs of developing countries.
Specifically, the report finds that the agreements:
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