Read about the latest developments today in TTIP and the global economy below.

Speeches and Official Announcements
TTIP Stakeholder Events during Round 6 in Brussels

The next round of negotiations is set to kick off on July 14 in Brussels. The sixth round will focus on trade in services, regulatory issues, government procurement, and opportunities for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). There will be many opportunities for stakeholder engagement, and as with previous rounds, one day will be dedicated to meetings with civil society.
See the full Round 6 announcement here.
RSVP for the Stakeholder Events on Wednesday July 16 here.

Remarks by Ambassador Michael Froman at the World Trade Center Denver
Ambassador Froman spoke at a recent event at the World Trade Center in Denver on the importance of trade and exports for the support of American jobs. Continuing to expand exports will lead to an expansion of business opportunities which will not only lead to expand local business and create jobs but also increase the demand for made-in America products and eventually strengthen the middle class. He highlights the key role that TTIP and TPP will play in the expansion of American trade in the future and insists that finalizing the two agreements will be of paramount importance for America to shape globalization and not be shaped by it.
You can read Ambassador Froman’s speech in its entirety here.

News

Skeptics Aside, Obama Steams Toward Pacific Deal
President Obama reaffirmed his desire to finalize and complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership by the end of the year earlier in the week following a meeting with New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key in Washington. President Obama will travel to Asia for the next APEC meeting in Beijing just a week following the US mid-term elections, so this timeline is certainly ambitious. (Wall Street Journal)

Renzi Leads Center-Left Drive to Loosen Eurozone Fiscal Rules
Europe’s center-left, led by Matteo Renzi, is pushing for a loosening of the EU’s tough budget rules, sparking a strong debate between Europe’s South and Germany. Italy and France, two countries struggling to meet their deficit and debt benchmarks, argue that the current rules are harming potential growth, and want additional flexibility. Chancellor Merkel disagrees, insisting that changing the rules now would send a wrong signal to the markets. (Financial Times)

Herman van Rompuy Urges EU to do Less
In his 4-page strategic agenda, designed to serve as a blueprint for the next European leaders, European Council President Van Rompuy warns the EU to restrict its ambitions to areas where the member-states cannot achieve better results at the national level. His blueprint largely continues the existing strategic goals of liberalizing the EU’s internal market, increasing energy independence and the management of migration in Europe. The strategy seems aimed directly at re-inspiring faith in the European project after the recent rise of anti-EU parties across the Union. (Financial Times)

The Fight over Jean-Claude Juncker and why it Matters
Despite his extensive experience in European matters, the nomination of Jean-Claude Juncker has been met with open criticism, most fiercely by British Prime Minister David Cameron who insists that the EU needs a new face, especially after recent European elections have shown growing public resentment with the EU status quo. If Cameron’s objections fail to resonate, Juncker’s start could potentially mean the beginning of the end of Britain’s membership in the EU. (Financial Times)

Recent Analysis

Merkel vs Renzi for the Future of the Eurozone
Underlying the ongoing competition for the presidency of the European Commission is a debate on the future direction of the Eurozone, with Germany insisting on continuing existing fiscal rules, and Hollande and Renzi calling for more flexibility and a jointly-funded investment program. Despite Merkel’s opposition to Renzi’s agenda, his demands could partly be met by the new Commission–in exchange for Renzi’s support of Juncker’s nomination as the new Commission president. Although it does not seem likely that existing fiscal rules will be substantially changed, Juncker could see through Renzi’s wish for an investment program and additional time for indebted countries to meet their fiscal obligations. (Financial Times)

Infographic: A National-Level Look at FDI in the United States
Changes in the global landscape have raised concerns that the US might not be able to attract as much foreign investment in the future. In order to sustain the level of high quality FDI and renew US competitiveness, it is important to understand the underlying national and regional implications of FDI and states must cooperate with the federal government and build strong clusters. This report does a nice job of outlining the positive spill-over effects from foreign investment across the US, including increased trade, productivity, and higher wages. (Brookings)

Why Consumers Should be at the Heart of TTIP
European and American consumer organizations are meeting in Washington to discuss ways to maximize the benefits for consumers from a prospective TTIP agreement. As this blog makes clear, consumers should be a primary consideration as negotiators move forward. Progress on several issues including import duties, transatlantic food safety, and telecommunications would have a real positive impact on consumers if compromises can be found which do not lower standards. (European Consumer Organization)

Demystifying Investor State Dispute Settlement
As TTIP moves forward, the ISDS mechanism has attracted much attention and much criticism. This criticism ranges from calling the current provisions of ISDS illegitimate to arguing raised investor protections do not necessarily increase FDI anyway. According to this piece by the European Center for International Political Economy, however if the EU and the US are able to modernize and reform the current system of bilateral investment treaties, the competitiveness of EU and US investors in third countries would be greatly enhanced globally. If you’re looking for an overview analysis of the last few decades of ISDS cases, this is it. (ECIPE)

TTIP will revive Europe’s competitiveness According to Nils Andersen, CEP of AP Moller-Maersk, finalizing TTIP would equally benefit consumers as well as producers, and would ensure that the EU remains a leading actor in global trade in the future. It would provide consumers with a greater choice of products and services, and provide a more secure and increasing energy supply. On top of offering advantages for consumers and producers, TTIP offers the unique opportunity for the EU to retain its economic well-being as new economic global players come to the fore. (EurActiv)

Upcoming Events

TTIP and the Investment Dimension: What is the State of Play? – June 24 in London; hosted by BritishAmerican Business – More information

TTIP One Year On: Consumers Mean Business – June 24 in Washington; hosted by the Trans-Atlantic Consumer Dialogue – More information and Live Stream available online

Europe’s Wake-up Call: How to Reverse the Tide of Euroscepticism – June 25 in Washington; hosted by the SAIS Center for Transatlantic Relations – More information

TTIP and Third Countries: Locked In or Left Out? – June 26 in Brussels; hosted by Carnegie Europe – More information

The Results of the European Parliament Elections and the EU Agenda for the Next 5 Years – July 8 in Brussels; hosted by the Martens Centre – More information

Round 6 of TTIP Negotiations – July 14-18 in Brussels