In the seven rounds of negotiations concluded, important progress has been achieved and new challenges have emerged. This is the state of play in the transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP) negotiations. The public is becoming interested and critical voices are getting louder. The question that we need to ask ourselves now is: do we want to pre-empt the outcome of the negotiations and build up a sense of fear or should we invest in developing a culture of trust?
The late decision by the European council to make the TTIP negotiating mandate public is a step in the right direction in creating the best conditions for negotiations based on trust. Interested citizens can now receive very comprehensive information on agenda items, negotiating objectives and questions on the European commission’s website.
It essentially makes it possible for anyone to learn about the current status of the TTIP. This is of crucial importance because from now on, European or US citizens can no longer be manipulated by alarmists, therefore rumours of issues such as poultry being processed using hyper-chlorinated water will finally cease.
"While proceeding with the negotiations and addressing the most important concerns of our citizens, we must not forget about the huge potential of this agreement"
In these negotiations, transparency is also an instrument that allows a rational debate to prevail over biased propaganda and facts to prevail over emotional responses. There are still a lot of questions to be answered, such as whether we should worry about our EU standards for consumer, environment or health protection. In the EPP group, we believe that in any trade agreement, the EU must not lower existing social and environmental standards.
However, we support the idea that improvements could and should be made to ensure our regulations are mutually recognised and, wherever possible, more harmonised. We should be willing to take a pragmatic view on whether we can do things better and in a more coordinated fashion.
While proceeding with the negotiations and addressing the most important concerns of our citizens, we must not forget about the huge potential of this agreement. The TTIP is not a goal in itself; it is a tool for growth and jobs, investment opportunities and competitiveness, high common standards and regulations.
The economic growth and increased productivity created by the agreement will benefit workers in the EU and the US, both in terms of overall wages and new job opportunities for high and low-skilled workers alike. Most importantly, it is a geostrategic tool for peace and stability.
Trust must prevail over fear. For us, the prospects for negotiations are much better between the EU and the US than for those with other countries. Why? Because with this negotiation, there should be little fear of social dumping on either side.
For example, one can always argue that car regulations in the EU and in the US aim to achieve more or less the same goals, although methods may vary. If it is good enough for us, it should be good enough for the US and vice-versa. The negotiating mandate is clear: we will not accept just any deal, but only a deal that is good for Europe.
At the same time, we refuse to give in to attempts to jeopardise an agreement that would result in growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. European standards must and will be retained. I am very pleased that this is apparent to the general public in the negotiating mandate as it currently stands.