Abstract
The United States is pushing for the largest consolidation of economies in the history of the world. The main vehicle of this consolidation is the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). These mega trade agreements are being negotiated in tandem with increases in military cooperation. But this system of consolidation has to contend with major considerations regarding national sovereignty, rule of law and effectiveness. Under the economic aspects, the investor state dispute settlement mechanism is under high scrutiny. Disagreements over the mechanics and function of the dispute mechanism is a dark cloud over the negotiation proceedings. The concerns are legitimate in regards to legal certainty, foreign intervention and accountability. But in the big picture, the pros outweigh the cons as it discourages diplomatic intervention in economic activities.