The SPD presents its conditions regarding the acceptance of the TTIP

Abstract:

On 25 September 2014 the vice chancellor of Germany and head of the SPD, demanded that clauses relating to the protection of investors are removed from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada (CETA). The ratification of this agreement will provide test run for the introduction of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the US. His demand has come in for criticism, including from the outgoing EU Commissioner for Trade, who said that re-opening the negotiations about the trade agreement with Canada would make it impossible to sign it due to the divergent interests of various circles on both sides of the Atlantic. CETA and TTIP will contribute to nearly all existing customs duty being lifted (CETA will eliminate 98% of customs duty) and lead to a convergence of technical standards and they will thus establish a common transa-tlantic market. The protection of investors will include the possibility to settle disputes between governments and companies by means of international arbitration courts.

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