In a democratic society, we presume the right to make laws that reflect the deepest values of citizens. But this is no longer the case. Created in 1994, the WTO is already among the most powerful, secretive, undemocratic and unelected bodies on Earth. If so, the WTO can demand their abrogation, or enforce very harsh sanctions. Corporate interests gain them.
Commercial values are the only ones that count.
Against the environment The very first ruling of the WTO held that regulations under the U.S. Clean Air Act, which set high standards against polluting gasolines, was non-compliant with WTO rules. It was ruled unfair to foreign oil companies that produce dirty oil. As a result, the U.S. government rewrote our regulations so that autos can emit dirtier exhaust. The U.S. may have to rewrite those protections too. Millions more animals may die.