United States

U.S. President Barack Obama has instructed the negotiating team working on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement to take into account any potential negative effects on the existing DR-CAFTA agreement with the Dominican Republic. The move comes in response to a letter sent to Mr. Obama last year by Dominican President Danilo Medina who noted that the TPP agreement could jeopardize the benefits provided via the DR-CAFTA act. The TPP negotiations involve 12 countries that border the Pacific Ocean. (Dominican Today)

The Chicago City Council is currently considering a new ordinance that would require city garment purchases, including police and fire uniforms, to be made only from vendors who have signed affidavits confirming that there are no sweatshops in their supply chains. The ordinance would give the city council the power to terminate contracts with any vendors found not to be in compliance with these guidelines and is part of a greater initiative by city leaders to make Chicago a welcoming home for immigrants. (Chicago Sun-Times)