TTIP Action aggregates the latest news and best analysis from across the United States and European Union on the ongoing negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
Speeches & Official Announcements
Jack Lew Announces $1B Ukraine Loan Package
US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced today that the United States will send a $1 billion emergency aid package to Ukraine as it works in tandem on securing an international assistance package led by the International Monetary Fund. (See statement here)
News
US, EU Move to Retaliate Against Russia
On Monday, US President Obama announced that his administration is readying a series of steps to isolate Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, US Trade Representative Michael Froman announced a suspension of early bilateral investment treaty talks with Russia designed to increase investment flows between the two countries. (Politico)
Trade Talks ‘honeymoon’ over, Business Chiefs Warn EU
Markus Behyrer, the director general of BusinessEurope, calls on EU leaders to improve their communication strategies to the public about the benefits of TTIP, especially as the ‘honeymoon phase’ of the negotiations are over, and the real work of negotiating an agreement has begun. (EUObserver)
Recent Analysis
We Cannot Afford to Stand on the Sidelines of Trade
US Vice President Joe Biden wrote a powerful case for expanding US trade and investment in last Friday’s Financial Times. TTIP and TPP offer the United States an important chance to shape the rules of global commerce to reflect American values of open and fair competition, and high regulatory and safety standards. He reiterated his empathy for lawmakers facing domestic political pressures, but insisted that the trade agreements currently on the table are clearly in the best interest of the country, and therefore good politics. (Financial Times)
TTIP: Getting Past “No”
Ambassador J.D. Bindenagel, argues that the United States and European Union should learn from mistakes made in TPP negotiations, and insist on the early and often involvement of public stakeholders, consumers, laborers, farmers and business representatives, into a more transparent TTIP decision-making process. In order for the TTIP talks to be successful, they must be open and transparent. (The Globalist)
Digital Trade and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
Cameron Kerry of the Brookings Institution argues that improving the flows of digital information should be a priority on both sides of the Atlantic, especially considering that the Department of Commerce’s Economics & Statistics Agency (ESA) estimates that in 2011 “digitally-enabled” cross-border trade accounted for about 60 percent of US services exports, and a large US trade surplus. (Brookings Institution)
Upcoming Events
Regionalism in a Globalized World: The E15 Initiative on Regional Trade Agreements – postponed due to weather (More information)
Ensuring Developing Country Interests Don’t Get Lost in US-EU Trade Negotiations – March 6 (More information)
TPA, TPP, TTIP, and You: When Will We Enjoy the Fruits of the US Trade Agenda? – March 7 (More information)
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Stakeholder Event in Brussels – March 12 (More information)
Round 4 of TTIP Negotiations in Brussels – March 10-14
President Obama travels to Brussels for a US-EU Summit – March 26