Will TTIP realise economic growth and more jobs?

TTIP (the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) is a free-trade agreement that has gained much attention in Europe in the past year – not least in the Netherlands. Growing numbers of people are concerned about the potential impact of the treaty.

Feiten & Fabels

Debates and protests have been organised, and the municipalities of Tiel and Amsterdam have declared themselves ‘TTIP-free’. Platform Authentic Journalism, TNI and SOMO have together taken a critical look at the most important claims about TTIP in Feiten & Fabels. 10 claims over TTIP (in Dutch only). Some of the biggest claims around TTIP are that the Dutch economy will grow, that current European standards will not be lowered, and that democracy will be safeguarded.

TTIP is a much-debated topic in several European countries and nearly three million people have signed a petition against it. Five hundred organisations have joined forces in the Stop TTIP coalition. From 10 to 17 October 2015, International Days of Action against TTIP and its sister treaties CETA, TiSA and TPP are taking place. Stop these sinister trade deals by adding your digital signature before the end of 6 October(opens in new window) .

Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing, led by European Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. There have now been 10 rounds of negotiations, alternately in Brussels and the US. The status of negotiations and the process that surrounds them are not public, but the European Commission indicates that ‘progress’ has been made on all subjects.

The TTIP treaty is enormously ambitious and is about much more than just the removal of trade tariffs. The main topic of negotiations is bringing down so-called non-tariff trade barriers – from which economic growth and jobs will allegedly come. These barriers relate primarily to differences in the regulation between the US and the EU – regulations that ensure product safety and that protect the environment and working conditions. Read more about the 10 most important claims in Feiten & Fabels. 10 claims over TTIP (in Dutch only).