Gabriel assures compliance with social standards at TTIP – tagesschau.de

Date: 03/21/2015 12:12 clock

The free trade agreement TTIP is highly controversial in the SPD. Now party leader and Minister of Economy Gabriel goes to his critics and assured: “What does not want the SPD will not come.” To arbitration, he has a clear opinion

TTIP When controversial transatlantic free trade agreement will enter into Federal Economics Minister Sigmar Gabriel entirely on the concerns of his party. “What does not want the SPD, is not come, “said the SPD leader of the” Süddeutsche Zeitung “. The formulated by the SPD together with the unions conditions were strictly adhered to.

“Parliaments are not undermined,” Gabriel adding with regard to concerns that the proposed reduction of trade barriers will only the European Commission and the European governments decided. “We will be lowered no social standards and no environmental and consumer protection standards.”

No private arbitration tribunals

Gabriel reiterated that there would be no private arbitration to resolve disputes. The arbitrators are controversial, even in the ranks of the SPD. Earlier, the SPD leader for public arbitration court had pronounced that should be managed by professional judges. Critics fear through private arbitration companies could overturn national laws

Gabriel showed understanding for the widespread skepticism about TTIP. The European Union had “by their secret negotiations in the past any occasion added “. This has however changed with the new Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström for the better.

Gabriel warns agreement with China

The Economy Minister made at the same time clear that the free trade agreements are important, in his view, so that Europe did not need to adjust reduced standards that would be determined, for example, between the United States and Asian countries. “I am sure that the standards with the US and hopefully sometime agreed with Russia, its better to Europe, as the standards that the US will arrange to meet with China and Asia,” said the chairman of the SPD.

About the free trade agreement with the United States is being negotiated in July-2013. Proponents hope for a huge boost to the economy on both sides of the Atlantic by tariffs and other trade barriers are removed. European critics fear lower standards of consumer protection and food safety.