Tech giants play too big a role in US Indo-Pacific trade talks, critics say

Activists, alarmed by the involvement of corporations in drafting the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, have started a campaign to limit their role in writing the digital chapter of the new trade pact. Some are worried that the companies will use the agreement as a back-door way to head off domestic regulation and enforcement of antitrust laws. — AFP

Technology giants are drawing protests as they aggressively try to shape a new US trade deal with Australia, South Korea and other members of the Indo-Pacific region that account for 40% of global economic output.

Activists, alarmed by the involvement of corporations in drafting the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, have started a campaign to limit their role in writing the digital chapter of the new trade pact. Some are worried that the companies will use the agreement as a back-door way to head off domestic regulation and enforcement of antitrust laws.