It is clear now that TTIP is politically dead, at least for the time being, Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy has said in response to the German Vice-Chancellor saying that the trade negotiations have collapsed.
Speaking over the weekend, Sigmar Gabriel, who is also the German Economic Minister, said that the negotiations with the US had “de facto failed, even though nobody is really admitting it.”
While the Sinn Fein MEP welcomed the comments, he said that the campaign against the regressive and dangerous EU trade agenda must continue.
“There are still many within the EU establishment who will vigorously pursue a TTIP deal and who may be willing to park the negotiations for a period with the intention of simply returning at a more opportune time.”
Carthy also said that the EU-Canadian deal (CETA) contains the same provisions that led to such great opposition to TTIP across Europe and it too must be rejected.
“Sinn Fein has opposed TTIP because of the threat it poses to Irish interests and the welfare of Irish citizens. It is clear now that TTIP is politically dead, at least for the time being.
“It was defeated by popular will, and the refusal of citizens across Europe to accept lower standards of rights for workers and consumers, lower standards of food safety and the drastic implications for farmers.
“A key component of the strategy of TTIP proponents was to keep citizens in the dark by preventing information on the talks from entering the public domain until it was almost too late. ”
That strategy was shattered when high-profile leaks drew public attention to the shroud of secrecy and lack of democratic accountability which surrounded the negotiations.
“I have no doubt however that those forces who sought to impose TTIP will return in the future with other dangerous proposals.”
Carthy said that the most pressing concern for opponents of this regressive EU trade agenda will be the proposed ratification of the Canadian deal, CETA, which contains the same provisions that have led to such great opposition to TTIP.
He said that it must be rejected and the Irish Government should take a lead in this regard.
In the meantime however, Carthy said we should welcome this victory for democracy and the rights of citizens across the EU.