Tearing down EU-US barriers

More affordable goods and services for European citizens, whilst preserving Community protection in terms of consumer health, the environment and EU enterprises, prompting new job opportunities thereby contributing to the creation of a balanced global economic system with benefits for the “third” economies of Developing Countries. It may seem a dream but it’s for real. It’s the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the object of European Union and United States talks ongoing over the past year. The sixth round of negotiations was held past July, but the whole process is likely to last two more years. However, politicians and economists alike agree that a closer bond between the two shores of the Atlantic would deliver positive results. Critical voices demand transparency over ongoing negotiations along with “democratic guarantees” on the outcome of the agreement. Tariffs and other obstacles. TTIP is designed as a comprehensive agreement between Community Europe and the USA for the promotion of trading – import and export alike -, mutual financial investments, agricultural developments, based on the dismantling of tariffs and custom duties, on the elimination of useless regulations and investment restrictions. The agreement thus aims at grater “liberalization” whilst preserving a set of pillars created in time by the EU and the US to protect their citizens and the respective production systems. The decision to follow the path of TTIP developed as a possible answer to the economic crisis, and to the standstill in multilateral agreements drawn up in the framework of the WTO -World Trade Organization- Doha Development Agenda. At the negotiating table the EU Commission, in the person of Belgian Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht, represents Europe’s interests. In a speech on the latest developments in the talks at the European Parliament past July, the Commissioner said that “progress is being made”, although the intention is to hasten the pace, in order to set a cornerstone in 2016. “The TTIP agreement will not lower European consumers protection standards”, Gucht said, going on to highlight advantages in the field of nutrition, agriculture, investment, employment, and personal data protection. Which possible benefits? TTIP negotiations are turning out to be extremely complex owing to differences in the economic and trade legislations on the two opposite sides of the ocean. Before opening the negotiations the Centre for Economic Policy Research in London carried out an independent research on behalf of the EU. The in-depth survey highlighted a set of concrete benefits for the EU amounting to 119 Bln euro per year (545 euro per family), while the United States would benefit with 655 euro per family (95 Bln euro). Profits would reportedly result from cuts in consumer prices (from food to cars, from electricity to travel), from widespread, cheaper investments for enterprises and families (loans), by the elimination of so-called “non-tariff barriers” (red tape, delays…). The attention of the bishops. It’s a very delicate process, and EU is reassuring Member States: before its enforcement, TTIP will undergo approval by the EU-Parliament, representing 500 million European citizens, and by the EU Council representing member States’ governments. It is no coincidence that the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) has addressed the issue on several occasions over the past months. At the end of June COMECE Secretariat organized a seminar in Mönchengladbach (Germany), together with the Catholic Centre for Social Sciences, focusing on the related risks and challenges. In the summer issue of “EuropeInfos”, COMECE online monthly magazine, published an article delving into various aspects of this theme. Moreover, COMECE president, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, dedicated to TTIP a large part of his address during the annual meeting between EU institutions and European Churches, held at the beginning of June 2014. His Eminence said: “”Free trade always offers the opportunity for greater prosperity, and has therefore to be initially welcomed. But the market always also needs clear rules.” That’s why “the two transatlantic partners who together represent the Western world marked by Christianity, can promote such an agreement to bring clear, ethically-grounded standards to the global economy. Therefore, “the Free Trade Agreement means for Europe and the U.S not only an opportunity but a special responsibility” to place at the service “of the common good.” COMECE will devote to TTIP its upcoming plenary meeting next November.