Closed-door negotiations have begun between the United States and eight Pacific Rim countries with the goal of reaching a free trade agreement. As the talks began yesterday, activists joined famed ice cream makers Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield at the site of the meetings to call for fair trade, instead of just free trade, in the new deal. Critics of the closed-door talks called the current practice of seeking the cheapest labor a 'global race to the bottom', likening Vietnam to China. The southwest Asian country is home to some of the world's lowest paid workers with a per capita income of just over $1,100 a year.

Global trade deals could be an instrument for justice, added Cohen. The social good is often left out of such deals in pursuit of the greatest profit or betterment of corporate interests. Governmental interests would set policy structured on bringing in tax revenue, but as manufacturing and other jobs are outsourced to other countries the tax base leaves with it.

“Chicago and the nation cannot afford another trade agreement that offshores manufacturing and service sector jobs, reduces the tax base and puts a downward pressure on the wages and benefits in the jobs that are left," said Alex Han of Stand Up! Chicago. "We hope negotiators are ready to learn from the damage wrought by past trade deals. Otherwise, they may as well go home now."

Nearly 20,000 signed postcards sat beside the ice cream makers and demanded for the agreement to include:

• Strong, clear and enforceable labor standards base on International Labor Organization conventions
• An end to investor-to-state provisions that threaten environmental and consumer protections
• A clear mandate enabling countries to obtain affordable, generic medications for sick people
• Respect for communities’ decisions as to how to best support family farmers and feed their populations

“Just like there’s more than one way to do business, there’s more than one way to do trade policy," said Greenfield. "We encourage trade negotiators to create an agreement that works for working people, farmers and the environment in all countries."

Arthur Stamoulis, executive director of Citizens Trade Campaign, joined Ben & Jerry to deliver the boxes of postcards to the trade delegation. Hotel management and Chicago police officers blocked them from entering the building. Management placed a call to inquire if anyone would be willing to accept the postcards, but the request was denied.

Over the last twenty years, 35,000 jobs were lost due to NAFTA but the proposed trade agreement is being promoted as a jobs supporter for the United States.

"Opening the markets of the dynamic and growing Asia-Pacific to U.S. manufactured exports - not only with tariff cuts, but with regulatory changes and measures that level the playing field for our businesses and workers, ensuring that American companies based at home can successfully export to TPP partner countries," said a U.S. Trade Representative spokesperson. "The more we make here and sell to Asia-Pacific customers, the more jobs trade can support at home."

Those specifics are up for debate in the ongoing negotiations.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk became the 16th person to fill the position after his appointment by President Barack Obama. Kirk and Obama reportedly hold progressive ideals on trade and promised to fight for more working family-friendly agreements. Barbara Weisel, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, will assume the lead role in the talks for the administration. Weisel filled similar roles in FTA negotiations with Thailand and Malaysia in the past and worked as a deputy negotiator for the FTA with Australia. Ambassador Kirk is not expected to be present for the talks in Chicago.