The clock is ticking for threatened contract – he will save it – the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet

US chief trade negotiator Michael Froman and President Barack Obama. (Archives) Photo: IBL

– We have made very good progress over the past six months and must ensure that this will continue and accelerate. Political will is required on both sides to dispel the myths that are out there – and clarify what TTIP is and is not, says Michael Froman.

Froman visiting right now Stockholm where he, together with EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, LO and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise to discuss free trade.

Sweden has always been , the world’s most free trade-friendly countries and been an ally of the United States, in places as something of a American wedge into the EU after membership. The importance of being clear with TTIP negotiations were also included in the communique after the Nordic Summit recently.

– The administration want it and for us it has free trade has always been important – exports account for 50 percent of our GDP, said Stefan Löfven then and announced that the topic has been raised in the talks with Obama, as well as the position that the US-EU should set the agenda for global trade.

Löfven listed below his days in Washington resistance grows in several EU countries, but stressed that a consensus exists on the basis of a contract are set location. If it turns out that some sour dough must be lifted out maybe it is necessary, according to Löfven but warning that it should not become a “TTIP light”. And about a possible presidential Trump, he had this to say:

– I would say that it is much more difficult, the United States becomes more isolationist. But even with another president, it would be harder to take over an ongoing negotiation, said Stefan Löfven.

The idea behind TTIP-launched three years ago was a transatlantic marker a financial fresh start. But instead of demonstrating people in a few major European cities and the US presidential candidates expressed doubts on free trade.

Both in the US and Europe ferment it in swathes. People think that they have had to pay too high a price for globalization and are suspicious of yet another agreement, TTIP, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. This despite the fact that there would be a continuation of the free trade traditions that prevailed backing over a nearly 70-year era, which contributed to increased yield and growth. Skeptics point now that transparency in TTIP talks are too small, but negotiators are defending themselves with the necessity.

At the same time suggesting a couple of recent US studies that agreement NAFTA, North American Free Trade Agreement, and trade exchanges with China contributed to the pressure on the US labor market, but on the benefits that cheaper clothing, electronics, etc. are taken into the picture becomes more complicated.

Free trade in 70 years

the global liberalization of trade began in earnest with the GATT 1947.

a number of free trade rounds followed until 1994, when a large number of countries agreed that based World Trade organization opened the doors to its office in Geneva in 1995.

Hopes that the current so-called Doha round to be rose in the port has not been fulfilled. Instead included many countries bilateral agreements.

The opposition could not have come at a worse time. Negotiators on both sides of the Atlantic in a hurry. If no agreement is reached on the content (and there are many stumbling blocks left) before year-end risk TTIP to fizzle out given the US presidential election and future elections in the heavy European countries.

On the American side include an irritable impatience because TTIP idea came from the EU. President Barack Obama pulled their weight by getting with the recalcitrant forces in his own party and has since become an effective spokesman for the project, they say. European politicians who get a taste of the kind of violent protests that Americans have been accustomed to for 20 years, must now take a clear stand for TTIP.

The top official , which handles US negotiations the title of the US Trade Representative and the office in an old house set back from the White house. Michael Froman, is a veteran with a number of senior positions in the Obama administration.

– The debate on TTIP is not based on facts, to the extent I wish, said Michael Froman dry.

With that he means a lack of insight into things that it actually is to harmonize rules in high-wage countries, the objectives on environmental, health and safety principles are the same, that even small businesses would benefit – and, on a deeper level , the US and the EU must take the lead and establish the rules that will apply to the continued globalization.

– We are aware that trade is a sensitive topic. We produce more in manufacturing than ever before, but the combination of wage stagnation and income inequality has made people uncertain. Then tend trade to become a target to which they address their financial concerns, said Michael Froman.

EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. Photo: IBL

The debate comes two contracts

• TPP Trans-Pacific partnership which was signed in February this year by twelve countries around the Pacific. But TPP has not entered into force.

• TTIP, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the 28 EU members and the United States began negotiating in 2013. Representatives both sides meet regularly, either in Europe or in the United States, the Swedish Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, responsible on the EU side and Michael Froman on the US side.

The EU and Trade Minister Ann Linde. Photo: Lars Pehrson

Dialogue Meeting EU-USA

on Tuesday, May 31 participates Michael Froman in a dialogue meeting between the EU and the US. Another participant is Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner, Ann Linde, EU and Trade and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise and LO.