Getting to a TTIPing Point

Kassandra learns that beyond the regular progress of meetings, there were numerous secret meetings at the European Commission, European Parliament, and the national level this week for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership after the 12th round of negotiations were extended.

In documents seen by New Europe from within the European Parliament, the current state of play of negotiations is summarised. We bring the most critical elements below (some have been declared through press releases already:

• One third of the chapters of TTIP are considered consolidated – this means the texts have been accepted by both parties even if they are still not closed.

• During these negotiations, important progress on the pharmaceutical chapter and car security was made.

• On the other hand, on regulatory cooperation and investments, there was a first exchange of views.

• The US side, still haven’t reacted to the proposal for the international court system, which is the successor of the ISDS (Investor-state dispute settlement).

• The US side absolutely want to conclude the agreement during the Obama administration, but its likely that they prefer to conclude the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) first.. This is because the TTIP will give more concessions to the EU than the TPP will give to the US’ pacific partners. Concluding and publicizing the TTIP ahead of the TPP would thus weaken the negotiating position of the US.

• The EU is seeking for the abolition of the Jonas act. This is federal legislation that protects American workers injured at sea. Also referred to as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, this law allows qualifying sailors who have been involved in accidents or become sick while performing their duties to recover compensation from their employers. The EU also wants the abolition of other protectionist initiatives such as ‘buy American’.

• The US let the EU know, they could integrate the European precautionary principle in the SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Sector) chapter, because this is already part of their risk assessment.

• The US has some reserves on the EU’s proposal on financial services.

• It seems that negotiations still haven’t crossed the sticking point of tariffs on car imports. This is of course problematic for both Germany and Italy.

• No progress was made on protection of origin of European products.

• Finally, there is a strong desire to speed up the negotiation in the next two rounds of April and July.