Chairpersons:
Bérengère Gouraud (FR) George Hadjipavlis (CY) |
Journalist:
Ignasi Cortés (ES) |
Globalisation has brought the world considerably closer since the mid-20th century. Concepts such as open borders, have changed our perceptions forever. This trend has been ever-increasing in the 21st century and with free trade being a key component it was expected that states and unions would attempt to enhance trade liberalisation in order to boost the global economy.
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is the trade agreement currently negotiated with the aim of reducing most of the remaining trade barriers between two historical partners: the European Union and the United States of America. It has been suggested that agreeing to such a deal will bring significant benefits on financial and economical terms - way beyond the notion that the most important benefit will be the political advantage of closer ties. For example, employment is expected to rise dramatically - giving some space to certain unemployment-ridden EU Member States, joint EU-US standards could increase the quality of products available such as on the pharmaceutical sector. Sounds exciting, right? Nonetheless, some serious concerns have been raised and opposition seems to be growing in two sides. There is now a list of suggested problems (cf. “key questions”). The target for the talks has been set for 2016 and time is running out. How can we ensure that we do not commit to a disastrous deal, or on the other end, fail to pass a hugely beneficial deal because certain Member States refused to ratify as they saw their national demands unmet? This trade agreement is set to change the course of trade liberalisation with a second one set to follow that shall include EFSA, which requires thorough consideration for all terms and provisions. Key Conflicts
Infographic from a pro-ISDS sourceKey Questions
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Globalisation is not a monolithic force but an evolving set of consequences - some good, some bad and some unintended. It is the new reality. Key Terms
Facts and Figures
Key Actors
Chronology of the AgreementTTIP
EU-Canada Trade Agreement - Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement (CTEA)
http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/in-focus/ceta/ |
Links for Further Research
- The Top 10 Myths about the TTIP, by the European Commission - Efficient insights in the main conflict points of the negotiations http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2015/march/tradoc_153266.pdf
- For speeches lovers: The speech of Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for Trade, in front of the German Parliament in February 2015 - Interesting to get the main issues at stakes seen by a Commissionner http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2015/february/tradoc_153171.pdf
- The TTIP explained, by the European Commission (6 pages) - http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2014/may/tradoc_152462.pdf
- The opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2014/march/tradoc_152266.pdf
- Stop TTIP, a citizen initiative https://stop-ttip.org/what-is-the-problem-ttip-ceta/
- Eurobarometer pool on TTIP, January 2015 http://www.borderlex.eu/eurobarometer-whos-ttip-eu/
- No TTIP deal with ISDS, by The European Parliament Magazine, January 2015: https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/articles/news/no-ttip-deal-isds-warns-parliament
- “ISDS” in the TTIP, by The Jacques Delors Institute, January 2015: http://www.institutdelors.eu/media/ttipisds-fabrygarbasso-nejdi-jan15.pdf?pdf=ok
- TTIP is 'big bonanza' for developing countries, EU claims: http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/ttip-big-bonanza-developing-countries-eu-claims-311507
Curious to get to know more?
Food Inc. is a 90 minutes long documentary that outlines the production of food in the United States. It is worth a watch in order to understand how the American food industry works, its main players, advantages and disadvantages. It is very insightful in order to understand current US regulations and the differences with the European Union.
Ignasi Cortés (ES)Despite his enthusiastic smile in this profile picture, Ignasi is generally perceived as a reflective and serious person, with a twisted and pessimistic dark sense of humour. A huge sports fan, he supports FC Barcelona and admires all time-NBA greats like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal. Otherwise, you can find him advocating for sciences over humanities or discussing Game of Thrones' fan theories (R+L=J, right?).
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