PTA exists to re-build the State, not to destroy it
The commercial integration promoted by the rich countries, privileges the ‘free market' over the regulatory functions of the State, and denies the weakest countries the right to protect their productive sectors. The FTAs are like a ‘straightjacket' which impedes us from escaping neo-liberalism and instituting sovereign measures such as the nationalizing of hydrocarbons. One of the clauses in the FTAA and the FTAs establishes that controversies between States and companies must resolved by arbitration tribunals which have authority over the State.
Prioritizing national interests, the PTA promotes a model of commercial integration among peoples which regulates and limits the rights of foreign investors and trans-national companies so that investment serves to promote productive development in our countries. Partners, not owners is how our president, Evo Morales has categorized the relationship. Therefore, the proposal also includes incentives for agreements among public companies in different countries to promote their mutual development.
PTA does not prohibit the use of mechanisms to promote industrialization, nor does it prevent the protection of internal markets to preserve the most vulnerable sectors. The FTAs lead to the death of rural production, because rural producers are unable to compete with subsidized products from the North. The PTA promotes the defense of the small farmer economy and the food sovereignty of our nations. The PTA recognizes the right of the people to; define their own food and farm policy, protect and regulate national agricultural production to prevent an inundation of excess food from ruining domestic markets; and give priority to collective well-being over the rights of agro-business by controlling the offer and regulation of imports.
At the same time, the PTA insists that services remain in the hands of public companies as the exclusive providers, with State regulation. The negotiation of any integration agreements must assure that basic services remain in public hands and cannot be turned over to the market. For this reason in the 4th Forum on Water, held recently in Mexico, the Bolivian delegation defended access to water as a human right, not as a mere commodty.