TTIP - US-EU TTIP trade deal 'frozen' after Trump vote: commissioner

Talks on a vast free-trade deal between the EU and US are likely to be "frozen" for years after the stunning election victory of Donald Trump, the EU said on Friday.

US president-elect Trump campaigned furiously on a promise to scrap international trade deals, throwing the ambitious pact with the European Union into serious doubt.

Brussels and Washington tried to get the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) through by the time Barack Obama left office but fell short.

"TTIP will probably be in the freezer for quite some time and then what will happen when it is defrosted, I think we will need to wait and see," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said after trade ministers held talks in Brussels.

"We don't know what he thinks about TTIP," Malmstroem said, referring to Trump, although she acknowledged that the brash billionaire was clearly opposed to big trade deals.

TTIP has been under negotiation since 2013 and was supposed to be one of the most ambitious free trade accords ever attempted.

Read more: Flash - US-EU TTIP trade deal 'frozen' after Trump vote: commissioner - France 24

EU-US TTIP trade deal under threat over the Feta factor (and much more)

TTIP: Putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank

A food fight between Europe and the US could block a massive free trade deal.

Products like Feta cheese, Gorgonzola, Champagne and Parma ham currently enjoy protection under which only they can be sold by that original name in the EU.

But with the controversial and much protested against Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) those products would not enjoy that protection in the United States.

In addition US companies would be able to sell their products in Europe under TTIP, even if they did not meet the same standards as local foodstuffs – for example Feta cheese from Greece can only be made with goat and sheeps milk.

The Americans say it is unacceptable protectionism and producers can use trademarks, though the US considers names like Feta to be generic and so not protectable by trademarks.

The Europeans say no protection means no trade deal.

With over 1,200 food products and close to 2,000 wine names having “so-called ‘geographical indicator’ status“https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographical_indication negotiations could be bruising.

Already Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan and French President François Hollande are threatening vetos if the issue is not resolved.

The matter is being discussed this week by the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

Note EU-Digest: in reality this massive trade proposal called TTIP is a threat to our climate, health and democracy. NAFTA proved to be a failure, and now the US is trying to shove TTIP, which has been negotiated with very little transparency, down the throat of the EU.  Come on EU,  show some "cojones", and tell the US where they can shove their TTIP proposal. 

Read more: TTIP trade deal under threat over the Feta factor | euronews, economy

EU-US Trade Negotiations: Unions oppose US trade deal with EU - by John Moylan

Plans for a major EU-US trade deal have been denounced by trade unions on the last day of their annual conference.

Delegates unanimously backed a motion opposing the Transatlantic Trade and Investment partnership (TTIP) and calling for negotiations to be halted.

Some trade unions and NGOs say that the agreement will threaten the future of the NHS and other public services.

The government insists it could boost the economy and open up the US market to British firms.
In recent months, unions have stepped up their opposition to the plan.

Many have focused on the potential impact on the NHS, where private firms are able to provide services.

They claim that TTIP would allow those firms to sue the government if it chose to return those services to public ownership.

Speaking at the conference, Gail Cartmail, assistant general secretary of the Unite union, called for the NHS to be protected from TTIP.

Read morfe: BBC News - Unions oppose US trade deal with EU

EU-US Trade negotiations: Thousands protest against EU-US trade deal across the UK

The Landworkers’ Alliance (LWA) joined more than 50 groups to protest against the controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on Saturday. Protests took place all around the country as part of the no TTIP campaign and the LWA joined coalition groups protesting in London.

The European Commission will host trade talks in Brussels all this week, with the UK government arguing if the new trade deal goes ahead this will open up trade and boost the economy.

However, critics say the deal puts a lot of power into the hands of large corporations, with fears the deal could mean large US firms will be able to sue governments over laws that are against their interests.

There are also worries from producers with the LWA worried about the safety of US imported meat.
Adam Payne, a spokesperson for LWA, said although the protest was a good start but “we really need to work to stand against the TTIP”.

He believes there is still not enough focus on this important trade deal and said, “We need other farming and agricultural unions to join us as this deal will effect them negatively.
“We still have time but now it’s crucial to build a big united opposition against the TTIP.”

The EU has publicly announced that the deal would not change European consumer safety laws. However, this has not stopped groups that are worried the deal could see a reduction in the importance placed on climate change and environmental issues and millions of job losses.

More than 1,000 people protested in front of the EU’s UK base at Smith Square, including the World Development Movement (WDM).

Speaking at the protest, Nick Dearden, director of the WDM, said, “This deal would hand multinational companies unprecedented powers over life in this country, including the ability to sue a future government for billions of pounds if they didn’t like its decisions. 
“The deal is not really about trade, it’s about entrenching the position of the 1%. It should be abandoned.”  

Read more: Thousands protest against EU-US trade deal across the UK - Blue and Green Tomorrow