World trade
TTIP in the crisis?
The free trade agreement between EU and USA is not right from the spot. Not because of the protests in some EU countries, but also because the US hesitation. Help a scaled down TTIP Version? Bernd Riegert, Brussels
Bernd Lange is one of the few people, in addition to the direct Stakeholders, the secret texts of the negotiations between the EU and the USA are allowed to see. The man has a certain Overview: a Long time is the Chairman of the Handelsausschusses in the European Parliament and the Rapporteur in charge for the controversial transatlantic trade and investment agreement (TTIP). Meanwhile, in Brussels the 12. Negotiations between Americans and Europeans. The SPD politician from lower Saxony, it goes too slow. Only for half of the 25 Chapters, there has been a clear message to the American negotiators complained Bernd Lange, opposite the Deutsche Welle.
Long: The time is running out
“TTIP is in crisis. I would not necessarily mid-life crisis, because Yes, only one Partner something that is sick. That’s the United States. The need to significantly in your efforts to grow and clearly on the Europeans to move”, said Bernd Lange. The trade representatives of the United States, Michael Froman, sees things differently. “We have in the last six months good progress has been made,” said Froman before the current Round of negotiations to the Protocol. The most difficult questions, however, has been excluded. Where and how investors sue to secure their rights, the Standards, for example in mechanical engineering to apply and how public procurement across the Atlantic are to be awarded, are unresolved questions.
The time is running out
Currently, the building is located in the “middle game” is the name of it from Verhandlungskreisen. It would become to time all the talks about the simple things done. The tough nuts will be saved for last. This middle game keeps the TTIP expert Bernd for a Long time, risky. The Negotiators simply goes the time way. Until July, there must be a so-called consolidated Text as a basis for negotiation. If this doesn’t pass, is a degree in the term of US President Barack Obama to not create. Also as contrary to the Supreme Handelsbevollmächtigte the USA. Michael Froman said you could make it. The responsible EU Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, has limits, however, you need a lot of luck. “Easy is not.”
The Rapporteur of the European Parliament, Bernd Lange, sees the domestic problems in the United States for the Congress and presidential elections in November rather grow. The Republicans were recently nationalist on the road and against new free trade agreements. The Democrats are free trade traditionally, critical and not to worry Investorenschutz and workers ‘ rights. Long warns, therefore, to hurry.
Ballast discard: agreement light?
Experienced: mechanical engineer for TTIP
The American side, which in the strategically important trade agreements are quite interested in is, has a ‘TTIP light’ into the conversation. This could be the most difficult questions only once sidelined, but even in the summer, be adopted. On the European side, you can see the skeptical. The President of the Verband Deutscher Maschinen – und Anlagenbau (VDMA), Reinhold Festge, came to Brussels to get yourself a picture of the negotiations. The medium-sized entrepreneur rejects “TTIP light” – because of his industry, mechanical engineering, would then, because they are so complicated and wide-ranging, with security taken out of the equation. “This could easily be from the table to sweep, because it is just so much work”, it is conjectured Reinhold Festge.
Example Mechanical Engineering
Just for the machine builders would be a transatlantic agreement, but a blessing, believes the Association President. Due to a lot of double regulation, approval process and documentation requirements, the costs for one of its machines, which are exported to the USA, 19 percent above the costs for other markets. Since he hopes to facilitate through TTIP. “If it now does not work, then we will be a big setback experience. Then maybe we’ll have an orientation of Americans to see, after Asia, what we don’t really want to.” For the mechanical engineering industry are the USA the most important market in the world. The one must nurture and develop, so Festge.
Since US President Barack Obama in April to the most important industrial trade fair in Hannover, comes, hopes entrepreneur Reinhold Festge on a new impetus and pressure on the hesitant TTIP event. “I think we have the midlife crisis now over. The Good thing we now have, and this now also again movement purely, is President Obama. Apparently wants Obama to be a decision as to its terms.”
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Medium-sized companies against TTIP (22.02.2016)
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Medium-sized companies against TTIP (22.02.2016)
No Standards lowering
Of a stripped-TTIP light also adheres to the EU parliamentarian Bernd Lange little. The Americans were primarily brought to you from unpleasant Chapters to be deleted. The Europeans could not accept. Especially for the European SMEs would need improvements. The large companies such as Volkswagen need TTIP actually is not so urgent, because they are large enough to be prevail, believes Bernd Lange. “To me it’s really about 150 000 Small and medium-sized enterprises has been on the American market and the value chains are still further opportunities for development. So, if the do not benefit from it, then you really need no deal to close.”
While in Brussels, the new Round of negotiations began, protesting in front of the doors for the real TTIP opponents. Environmental groups and human rights organizations to keep the free trade agreement for “undemocratic and verbraucherfeindlich,” said the trade expert of Greenpeace Germany, Jürgen crunching. The TTIP-an expert of the European Parliament, Bernd Lange, will these Concerns be taken into account.
Protest to kick off the 12. Round: Greenpeace in Brussels
“A Lowering of Standards in consumer Rights, an attack on Arbeiternehmerrechte it will not give us. On the contrary: We want Standards that are higher than what many in the world trade, the reality is”, it promises to be a social Democrat for a Long time. At the end of the procedure the European Parliament the TTIP agreement is still to approve.
First discussion on contention arbitration
A theme that particularly in Austria and Germany to violent discussions, the private arbitration tribunals where investors take their claims to sue. The now public courts to be replaced, calls on the European negotiators. The hot iron should be in this week in Brussels for the first time, need to be tackled. A statement from the U.S. side, there is not yet. Perhaps also the courts in a “light”Version of TTIP do not show up. The “middle game” is running.