The World Economic Forum is currently gathering in Davos, Switzerland. The Forum started on January 20 and will conclude on January 23. (World Economic Forum)
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Graphic of the Week
Photo Credit: @EU_TTIP_Team
To read more about what industrial sectors stand to gain from TTIP, check out a sector by sector analysis by the Atlantic Council, the Bertelsmann Foundation, and the British Embassy in Washington, DC here.
Speeches & Announcements
Commissioner Malmström: Progress on Trade and the Need for Debate
“We have some of the highest standards in the world when it comes to the environment, food safety, healthcare and social services. They reflect our values. We are justifiably proud of them. We should defend and promote them. But doing that also means cooperating more closely with countries like the United States and Canada. Because – since they also have high standards – together we will have more possibilities to promote these approaches in the wider world.” – Cecilia Malmström
EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström traveled to Berlin last week to meet with ministers, members of parliament and stakeholders to discuss the state of TTIP negotiations and the wider EU trade agenda. At the Welt Economic Summit, she praised the progress made in 2015 in TTIP negotiations and the implementation of other trade agreements, and addressed critics’ concerns about maintaining standards, investment protection mechanisms, and transparency. (European Commission)
To read the full speech, click here.
Draft Rule Paves the Way for EU Exports of Apples and Pears to the United States
“It is a welcome reflection of the increased level of engagement by the Commission with the US administration. It will be of significant benefit to European farmers, many of whom lost their main export markets overnight as a result of Russian sanctions imposed in 2014.” – Joint Statement
EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Adriukaitis, Trade Commissioner Malmström, and Agriculture Commissioner Hogan released a joint statement on Saturday about a change to an American law, paving the way for EU fruit exports to gain access to American markets. European fruit exporters have been hit especially hard by the sanctions on Russia, as they lost access to a major market essentially overnight. (European Commission)
Investment Plan for Europe: EIF and Komercni banka Sign Agreements to Benefit over 2,300 SMEs
“With the COSME agreement being signed today by Komercni banka and the EIF more than 2,300 very small businesses and SMEs in the Czech Republic will be able to access funding through new loans. With the Investment Plan we are supporting the backbone of our economy.” – Elzbieta Bienkowska, EU Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship, and SMEs
The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Komercni banka signed a Competitiveness of Small and Medium Size Enterprises (COSME) agreement and an EaSI microfinance transaction in the Czeck Republic with support from the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), which is at the core of the Commission’s Investment Plan for Europe. In 2015, the Czeck Republic had the largest increase in the creation of new firms in the past seven years, and the two programs will do a lot to provide financing for entrepreneurs on the front line of new business in Europe. (European Commission)
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To learn more about the COSME Program, click here.
News
EU Commissioner Says Trade Deal Possible before US Presidential Vote
In an interview with German news agency dpa, EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said that she believed TTIP could be finalized before the end of the Obama administration. In response to criticism of TTIP in Germany, she defends the negotiations and emphasizes that TTIP negotiations are the most transparent trade negotiations to date. She went on to say that an agreement would not be reached at any cost, but that it would be a shame if a deal could not be reached by the end of year. (Europe Online)
TTIP&TRADEinAction Partners
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Recent Analysis
TTIP, the Bullied Kid of Twitter
The unfortunate reality of the social media world’s opinion of TTIP, TPP, and CETA is not good. This analysis, conducted by Sabina Maria Ciofu and Nicolae Stefanuta, indicates that anti-TTIP tweets make up 99% of all tweets about TTIP over the month of October 2015. However, the majority of negative tweets were sent in the context of large anti TTIP rallies held in October, and have greatly leveled off. The authors suggest that there is a great opportunity for the pro-TTIP community to debunk fearful myths and increase understanding for the agreement through the establishment of a constructive, easy-to-grasp, engaging, and honest communication strategy. (Georgetown Public Policy Review)
Why TTIP is Stuck in the Muck
According to Rod Hunter writing for Politico, the root of some of the obstacles in the ongoing TTIP negotiations are the underlying differences in the US and EU regulatory systems; National officials from EU member states tend to adopt a politicized regulatory approach and micro-manage outcomes. The author suggests “To unlock the potential of TTIP, this basic problem in the EU regulatory process needs to be addressed. The EU should expand transparency and public participation and, critically, liberalize rules allowing interested parties – whether businesses or activist groups – to challenge executive rules.” (Politico)
Open for Business What a TTIP Means for the UK Auto Sector
BritishAmerican Business writes about the benefits TTIP could offer British business, particularly the auto industry. Regulation harmonization could substantially affect the UK auto industry, and make it much easier to export to the United States. With sales in Europe declining, greater access to the US market would be a big opportunity; industry analysis predicts output could increase by 7% and exports by 25% thanks to TTIP. (BritishAmerican Business)
How Obama Can Revive His Stalling Trade Pacts
Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Robert Zoellick, former president of the World Bank, highlights major obstacles facing ongoing TTIP negotiations and offers some solutions to get past them. Despite facing a divided US Congress in an election year, the Obama administration can still make strides on TTIP, particularly if the negotiators agree on a phased elimination of almost all tariffs, principles of sound regulation, and minimize duplication while assuring their citizens that the United States and the European Union will retain sovereign autonomy and accountability. (The Wall Street Journal)
The TransPacific Partnership – News & Analysis
Remarks by Ambassador Michael Froman to the US Conference of Mayors
At the US Conference of Mayors earlier today, US Trade Representative Mike Froman rallied for the Mayors’ support for TPP. Ambassador Froman announced that in the upcoming weeks, he and his team want to work with the mayors to gain wide spread support for TPP by explaining the benefits to small businesses in their respective cities. He concludes by saying “with this historic TPP agreement in hand, your cities are closer than ever to realizing its benefits. Together, we can get it done.” (United States Trade Representative)
Secretary of State Kerry Remarks on US Foreign Policy
Speaking at the National Defense University, earlier last week, Secretary Kerry addressed a range of issues, discussing Syria, refugees, and climate change, among other topics. With regards to trade, he emphasized the benefits of the Transpacific Partnership, highlighting improved labor and environmental standards, economic benefits but also how TPP will ultimately build security by “rebalanc[ing] towards the region, advancing American leadership in the largest emerging market in the world.” (US Department of State)
The Bigger Picture – Trade in Action
US Trade Representative 2015 Year in Review
Tradewinds, the official blog of US Trade Representative, talks about the state of trade in America, and specifically what the Obama Administration has done to improve it. The article mentions how US exports have broken records for the fifth year in a row and continue to promote domestic job growth, how US trade rights are protected, international market access is secured, and how economic ties abroad promote American values and standards. (Tradewinds)
Members of Parliament Support Ambitious Global Trade Pact
The four largest parties in the European Parliament – the European People’s Party, Socialists and Democrats, European Conservative and Reformists, and the Liberals – all back the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA). The TiSA seeks to cover up to 70% of global trade in services, in particular the flow of data between countries which makes up roughly half of services traded. (Politico)
European Union and China Agree on Scope of the Future Investment Deal
European and Chinese negotiators came to an agreement that the future deal needs to address market access, the regulatory environment, investment protection, and environmental and labor law. The negotiations are slated to progress into a phase of specific text-based negotiations. (European Commission)
Malmström Blog-Supporting Ukraine
European Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström, posted on her blog about her meeting with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine and her attendance at the Council of EU Foreign Ministers. In the post, she praised the successful implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) in Ukraine, and speaks of its specific benefits to Ukraine. She goes on to highlight the detrimental isolationism of Russia, who imposed more sanctions on Ukraine this week. (European Commission)
Upcoming Events
The Precautionary Principle in TTIP: Trade Barrier or Essential for Consumer Protection? January 26, 2016, hosted by the Trans Atlantic Consumer Dialogue, with EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, in Brussels – More Information
TTIP and EU Member States – January 27, 2016, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU), in Brussels – More Information
The Future Trans-Atlantic Trade – January 28, 2016, hosted by the British American Business Council, with Ambassador of the European Union to the United States David O’Sullivan – More Information
The US-EU Economic Relationship: The Future of TTIP: February 3, 2016- Join the World Affairs Council, the Washington State Council on International Trade, and the British American Business Council – Pacific Northwest – in Seattle, Washington, to discuss the TTIP – More Information
Opportunities and Potential of TTIP – February 29, 2016; hosted by thre Bavarian Trade Union in Passau, Germany – More Information