TTIP - the most controversial trade agreement of all time

TTIP, or Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, has been in the spotlight for over 2 years. That's remarkable for a document that was not open for the public eye until the drafts where leaked in April this year.

The proposed agreement is a deal between the United States and the European Union. The content has been discussed and decided behind closed doors. Only the MPs of the European Parliament, some negotiators of the European Commission, ministers of national governments and US Senators can view the documents. There's a strict embargo on the exact content and most people can only view the text in specific secured rooms without any scan devices (mobile phones, cameras and such).

This leaves to think why this treaty is dealt with so secretly. Could it be that the content is so controversial it could move the masses in both Europe and the US? There have been many indicators that indeed, this treaty doesn't do much for the average citizen of those nations involved, but instead build a huge system of advantages for large multinational corporations. Those Apples, Starbucks, Coca Colas, Nestlés and Monsantos already enjoy the benefits of being present in many legislative areas in the world. They make special deals with governments over taxes and use flaws in local laws to prevent paying a fair share for their use of local infrastructures.

TTIP will look for the 'best' of both. It will look for ways to easily sell products and services overseas, with as little legislature or rules possible and the least reliability and responsibility for those who provide the markets. 'Best' here isn't the best for the average Joe, it will be best for corporate America and corporate Europe.

The US has only ratified 2 out of 7 core labour rights. This could lower the European standards bit by bit when the treaty comes in place.

Altough abandoned in the treaty, the US is still pushing for an arbitral tribune, Investor-State Dispute Settlement. These will not be under the jurisdiction of governments. Instead, they can order governments to pay companies when sued over new legislature that threatens previous investments. For example, a European nation bans smoking in public after a devastating scientific report on health issues. Tobacco companies can now sue this nation, because it had just invested in a new factory. These cases have been brought up under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) already. There are many known cases where laws that were made to protect the environment became disputed by corporations due to a threat to their income. If this takes off, the Paris agreement of 2015 could be literally under fire.

Last but not least, TTIP could include parts that are similar to ACTA, the treaty that came under criticism of the public for being too invasive in the privacy of citizens and setting harsh intellectual property standards. Big entertainment companies would do a lot to get a treaty passed where they could benefit of an internet which is not data-neutral and where every internet user is being observed and recorded (and punished when copyright is infringed).

TTIP has been under fire lately. Once Greenpeace decided to publish the content, the monster got out of its cage and everyone could finally read what was long feared: a treaty made for multinational corporations, not for citizens nor democracy. Worldwide demonstrations have been held over the last 2 years. Politicians in Germany, France, the United States and other countries involved say that the negotiations are stalling or even failing. In Germany there will be mass demonstrations next week.

TTIP has proven to be a danger for the citizens of the countries involved. It destroys democratic foundations, excavates labour and human rights, endangers the environment and health, all to enrich the biggest corporations in the world. This makes this treaty most likely the most controversial trade agreement of modern history.