Manuel Pérez-Rocha is an Associate Fellow of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington and an Associate of the Transnational Institute (TNI) in Amsterdam. He is a Mexican national who has led efforts to promote just and sustainable alternative approaches to trade and investment agreements for two decades. Prior to working for IPS’ Global Economy Program, he worked with the Mexican Action Network on Free Trade (RMALC) and continues to be a member of that coalition’s executive committee. He also worked for the Make Trade Fair campaign of Oxfam International.

Manuel studied International Relations at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), has a diploma on European Studies from the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM) and holds a M.A. on Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague, Netherlands. Some of his last publications include op-eds in The Nation and The New York Times.

Latest

Biden’s Top Trade Official Should Work to Protect Governments From the Rising Number of Corporate Lawsuits

In 2020, foreign investors filed at least 51 known lawsuits demanding huge sums from governments struggling to fight a historic pandemic.

How U.S. Trade Policy Failed Workers — And How to Fix It

Now more than ever, we need a new trade policy to support an economic recovery from the pandemic and to start building an economy that works for everyone.

Corporate Lawsuits Could Devastate Poor Countries Grappling with COVID-19

Wealthy corporations may use trade courts to keep public health measures from cutting into their profits.

With Passage of NAFTA 2.0, Congress Boosts Fossil Fuel Polluters, Particularly in Mexico

The U.S. Senate has just approved a deal that perpetuates the excessive powers of corporate polluters to ride roughshod over Mexican communities threatened by oil, mining, and gas projects.

We Need a Progressive Alternative on Trade — and NAFTA 2.0 Isn’t It

Twenty years after Seattle, we are still working towards a progressive trade agenda that protects people and planet.

What Kind of Trade Policy Should Progressives Support?

NAFTA 2.0 simply locks in existing drives toward ecological collapse and social inequality. A better deal would put people — and nature — first.

New Report Calls for Transformation of International Trade Rules

As NAFTA 2.0 hangs in balance, U.S. and Canadian organizations recommend new rules for future trade agreements that prioritize people and planet, not corporations.

International Civil Society Organizations Call on Honduran Government to End Abuses Against Protesters and on the U.S. Government to Denounce Security Force Abuses in Honduras

Over the last several weeks, Honduran security forces have killed and wounded teachers, students, health care workers and other Honduran citizens protesting cuts to the health and education system.

Trump’s Tariffs on Mexico and Who They’ll Harm

Manuel Perez-Rocha discusses Trump’s plan to impose progressively increasing tariffs on Mexico, the second largest importer of U.S. goods.

Mining Companies Use Excessive Legal Powers to Gamble with Latin American Lives

In more than two-thirds of the mining-related lawsuits against governments in the region, communities have been actively organizing against the mining activities.

IPS Expresses Deep Sadness and Sincere Condolences with Family, Friends, and Movements in Latin America at the Sudden Loss of Four Dearly Loved Defenders in Guatemala

Today we are reminded about how important it is to appreciate and care for eachother every day as part of long and challenging struggles for the health, dignity and self-determination of communities and peoples.

AMLO Goes Full Throttle Against Neoliberalism — But What About NAFTA?

Mexico’s first left-wing president gave a fiery inaugural speech against neoliberalism in Mexico. But he barely mentioned NAFTA.

Supreme Court Accepts Appeal of Peruvian Human Rights Defender and Overturns Sentence

The decision will be precedent-setting for the future of social protest in Peru.

More than one hundred organizations reject the unjust payment of USD $31 million to Canadian mining company Bear Creek

Groups call for the annulment of sentence against Aymara spokesperson in the Peruvian Supreme Court

Is This the End of NAFTA as We Know It?

And why is Mexico being complicit in Trump’s attempt to bully Canada?

North American Fair Trade Activists Denounce Trump’s NAFTA Bullying

Leaders from Canada, Mexico, and the United States demand a trade deal that lifts up people and communities in all three countries.

How U.S. Economic Policies Contribute to Asylum Seekers

Many of the families detained at the U.S.-Mexico border have lost their livelihoods as a result of U.S. economic policies.