Options and possibilities in TTIP: two sectors and the mother of controversial issues.

Eliasson, Leif Johan (2015) Options and possibilities in TTIP: two sectors and the mother of controversial issues. [Conference Proceedings] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: In 2013 the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) began negotiating the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Although tariff lines average 3-4%, the rates for certain categories and individual products are much higher,1 so removing or reducing tariffs in a €700bn annual bilateral trade relationship translates into large savings for the companies involved (especially small and medium sized enterprises), and ultimately lower consumer prices.2 Yet TTIP is primarily about reducing or eliminating ‘behind the border’ restrictions to trade and investments, so-called technical barriers to trade (TBS), focusing in particular on attaining various degrees of regulatory convergence, while in the process setting dominant international standards.

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