by Mark Linnhoefer – Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that she opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership, thereby directly going against a pact she had supported during her time as Secretary of State in Obama’s first term.
The Democratic presidential candidate said the proposed partnership does not meet “the bar” that is set “very high” and she believes that lawmakers should stop giving new agreements “the benefit of doubt” as that might “end up doing more harm than good.” Mrs. Clinton is also worried about “incomes in America.”
This shift in position seems like a well-calculated move by Clinton so as to distance herself from the current administration and rally support from labor unions and other Democrats opposing the treaty. Two fellow Democratic presidential candidates – Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley – that, while applauding Mrs. Clinton’s newly found anti-TPP stance, are also questioning the nature of this sudden change in opinion as it seems like a very obvious strategic decision to differentiate herself from rivals like Joe Biden who is also contemplating running for president.
Obama and Biden have both argued that the deal would strengthen America’s position in East Asia and serve as a strategic measure to counter the rising power of China. Opponents are worried about a lack of provisions that would prevent currency devaluation and about environmental and consumer laws being lessened.
Hillary Clinton’s announcement is just the next in a line of newly found points of view opposing the current administration, giving the Democratic candidate a more differentiated platform for her future campaign.
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