TTIP TRADE AGREEMENT –
In the end, the definitive and total rejection came from the Germans, who, as usual, are the only ones with a strong, clear, and authoritative voice in Europe. Sigmar Gabriel, Vice Chancellor (essentially the government's number two, after Angela Merkel) and Minister of Economy, said, textually: "We cannot passively accept American demands." These demands are burdensome and counterproductive for European countries. Some will say this is yet another piece of bad news. I think exactly the opposite: The US-Europe trade deal (TTIP) is dead, at least for now, and it's better, much better, that it's going that way..
The death knell of a negotiation that was entering the decisive phase, in a climate of general skepticism, apart from the usual bards of the market as gods, is ringing at the same time from several quarters. France, which has always had an industrial and agricultural policy well-aimed at defending national products (unlike Italy where we often manage to damage even the excellence of Made in Italy), She was very clear: the conditions are not in place to sign the agreement between the European Union and the United States by the end of Obama's mandate.Amen. Great Britain, the European country that pushed most for TTIP, partly because of its close ties to the United States, fared even worse than the French, and with Brexit, it left the Union entirely. And across the table, both Clinton and Trump made very cold statements about the negotiations, suggesting that, if anything, they'll discuss it again once the presidential elections next November are over. So the TTIP ends up in the attic, and we can only say we are happy, if only for the conditions, unacceptable for Europe, that the Americans had set to sign this global economy trade agreement..
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WHAT IS TTIP –
According to data collected by the European Parliament, In the agri-food sector alone, the TTIP would have increased American exports to Europe by 120 percent, while European exports to the United States would have increased by "only" 60 percent.. Double. But the real issue, about which I have many doubts, concerns neither business nor the market, but rather the risk of giving up fundamental achievements for European consumers in terms of food and health safety.
US-EUROPE TRADE AGREEMENT –
The Americans, when it comes to business, they don't mince their words. And With the TTIP they wanted to impose their rules, which are very loose and very favorable to corporate lobbies, even in Europe.Let's take some examples. In Europe, there is a precautionary rule, according to which the sale of food is prohibited unless it is proven that it is not harmful to health.. In America, however, products are almost always banned only after they have harmed someone.In the cosmetics sector, Europe bans the use of 1.372 potentially carcinogenic substances, while the United States only bans eleven.America is asking us, in fact, to give up the DOC, DOP and IGP labels, to have free rein to sell its products. Italian sounding, which are made in Italy only in name, thus ruining hundreds of Italian excellences. And again: The American version of the TTIP provides free rein in the use of 82 pesticides that are banned in Europe..
In conclusion: yes to the market and to new commercial outlets for European and American products, no to the selling off of our values and our securityAnd if the United States continues to make unacceptable demands, then it is better not to give in and abandon the agreement.
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