Hiddo Houben
If trade diplomat walk on eggs. Hiddo Houben, head of the US and Canada department at the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission, explains how he almost was recently put on the wrong track during discussions on animal welfare. In the EU there is legislation that gives every free-range chicken on a stick right in Europe, in the US does not. You should equalize their standards?
“The Americans suggested to solve this problem by a statement on the packaging. The consumer can choose. I was already half won for the idea. But when put someone working in the poultry to me that a lot of boxes of eggs never fall into the hands of consumers because of the industry they are processed. These companies really are not looking at labels. So we have to raise the issue within the negotiations for a new free trade agreement. “
Miami
Houben has just returned from the eleventh round of negotiations on the proposed Trans-Atlantic Free Trade and Investment Convention (TTIP) in Miami. Friday told the EU Trade Ministers how it therewith. The EU and the US have already agreed on the reduction of import duties on 97% of all products. Now there is 3% where they have found each other yet. Which relate to agricultural products, says Houben. Those things have to wait for the endgame. Then, at the highest political level nodes severed on the most sensitive issues
In June 2013 the European Commission received a mandate from the Member States of the European Union to deal with the United States to negotiate a free trade agreement.
The bilateral talks followed failed attempts to close a new free trade agreement under the aegis of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The latest success on a global scale was the completion of the Uruguay Round which led in 1995 to the establishment of the WTO. In 2001 there started a new trade round in Doha, but the negotiations are difficult. After failed WTO summits in Cancun and Hong Kong, the US and EU more sought refuge in regional trade. The US recently reached an agreement with eleven countries around the Pacific Ocean.
That agricultural tariffs in These do not, is the 20th-century, ‘says Houben. Since the last time that the transatlantic trade rules were revised in 1992 in Uruguay, free trade is actually the norm. “We’re shifting from protecting producers to agree on values that we find important in the 21st century: basic standards in the field of environment and labor and higher buffers for banks. Via TTIP can the EU and the US help each other to remain globally competitive: by working together to higher standards, in line with our values ”
Unruly process
Both blocs have an interest in their relatively expensive trading systems from emerging countries. But the intense debate on TTIP it is mainly about the destruction of European standards, how often Commissioner Cecilia Malmström also said that this is not an issue.
” Negotiating with the US is a difficult process, “sighs Houben. “They are a federation and we do not. But we do not give up our sovereignty. We do not seek a single, common internal market, but only try to increase the compatibility of our legislation. So the US FDA and European EMA continue to approve drugs separately, but we harmonize inspections of factories. This saves pharmaceutical costs. ” According to Houben is mutual recognition easier in the future if regulators involve each other from the start in the drafting of new rules. The EU, which has experience with it, it does like to put in the agreement.
Chicken farms in the United States use different standards for hygiene and animal welfare standards than European companies. (Photo: Corbis / HH)
Wish lists
The EU wants to gain access to contracts from the federal government and individual states, and orders in the shipping and aviation market. Also high on the list are visas for highly skilled workers and the protection of geographical names, for example in cheese and wine. The Americans, in turn, want to drag more meat export from the negotiations. She also committed to Internet companies on the West Coast: they must regain the ability to store data outside of Europe
Technical. is to do all that, think Houben. Although there will be quite a few issues remain open. The big question is whether in an American election year both parties have the political will to reach agreement. `We are halfway to the lyrics. To speak in football terms: the second half of the race now begins. Then our work may be more difficult, but also half lasts 45 minutes.
If it fails, a new trade agreement on harnesses, is a battle for the leadership of the two trading powers, finds Houben. And above all, it would be an investment that is not forthcoming. ‘Compare it with a software update. Nobody is looking forward to install. But if you do not, you stand about five or ten years, suddenly at a disadvantage. “
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