The Trade Committee this week discussed an initial working document on the resolution on “Parliament's recommendations to the Commission on the negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership”. The Trade Committee is scheduled to vote on the resolution at the beginning of May. The arguments of TTIP supporters and critics had little new to offer; from the point of view of the AK, the resolution draft itself has some shortcomings.

The Working document itself consists of three thematic blocks: market access, regulatory cooperation and non-tariff trade barriers as well as investment protection.

From the point of view of the AK, the working document is in need of improvement

Whilst this document does not make it entirely obvious that ISDS has clearly been rejected, the chairman of the Trade Committee and TTIP rapporteur Lange (S&D) pointed out that there was a clear commitment to investment protection; however, he would not see any necessity for ISDS. The AK welcomes a critical resolution on TTIP; however, there is still a long to go. On the one hand, the working document is characterised by a very uncritical economic assessment. Economic growth is being overestimated whilst the negative impact on jobs is not mentioned. Admittedly, ISDS was called into question; however, there was no clear rejection. The AK is particularly critical of the lack of a clear rejection regarding the liberalisation of services of general interest. Here, a clear commitment is required. In addition, the AK demands a positive list approach (public services are not included in the Agreement's area of application, unless expressly mentioned in it). It also gives cause for concern that the ILO Core Labour Standards are not regarded as a necessary prerequisite for an agreement coming into existence.

Debate in Parliament brings usual arguments

The debate in Parliament delivered no surprises. The Commission’s TTIP negotiator Bercero made it clear that he would always take care to take the position of the European Parliaments into account. Responding to his statement, Lange said that Parliament would exactly specify its demands in the resolution. The negotiated Agreement would be measured on this basis and in case these demands were not fulfilled, Parliament would not give its approval.

13 other committees will provide their inputs before the end of March; the paper will be discussed mid-April and the Trade Committee will vote on it at the beginning of May.

NO2ISDS – your voice counts