T-TIP

The EPP Group stresses that the T-TIP must not and cannot overrule, repeal or amend EU laws and regulations. Any changes to EU laws have to be approved by the competent Institutions. The EPP Group considers that, for trade negotiations, a certain amount of confidentiality should be maintained, so as not to undermine the EU's own position in the negotiations. However, this confidentiality should be balanced by an accurate and appropriate flow of information to the other stakeholders and to the public, including the European Parliament and the Council.

The S&D Group (Socialists and Democrats) recognizes the opportunities of the agreement. Especially as regards improved access to the U.S. markets for services and public procurement, recognition of technical standards, protection of EU geographical indications and the abolition of U.S. trade restrictions (as for instance the 'Buy American Act' and the 'Jones Act'), the EU and its industries and services have clear offensive interests under the T-TIP. Furthermore, the T-TIP can provide an opportunity to reinforce workers' rights in the USA, based on high ILO and EU standards.

The organizations and companies here below represent the vast majority of U.S. food and agricultural producers, processors and exporters that initially registered strong support for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

This factsheet describes the U.S. Administration’s specific goals and objectives for the T-TIP in terms of TRADE IN GOODS, TEXTILES AND APPAREL, NON-TARIFF BARRIERS AND REGULATORY ISSUES, RULES OF ORIGIN, TRADE IN SERVICES, ELECTRONIC COMMERCE AND INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) SERVICES, INVESTMENT, CUSTOMS AND TRADE FACILITATION, GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT, LABOR, ENVIRONMENT, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES, SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES (SMEs),  TRANSPARENCY, ANTICORRUPTION AND COMPETITION, DISPUTE SETTLEMENT.

1. MYTH: T-TIP negotiations are happening in secret and the agreement will be concluded out of the public eye. The reality is that the EU and the U.S. are only in the very early stages of discussions but have published their goals and objectives.
2. MYTH: T-TIP is undemocratic / the process lacks transparency. Why can’t people vote on it? The reality is that like any negotiation, T-TIP preliminary discussions require a degree of confidentiality until negotiations are concluded.

The implications of a trade deal are huge for business. The U.S. and EU account for half of global GDP (about € 22 trillion of annual output) and a third of global trade, with more than €1.1 trillion in goods, services and income receipts flowing across the North Atlantic annually. Approximately €2.7 trillion in investment flows both ways, constituting a total commercial relationship of more than €3.7 trillion.