ESF Responses to DG Trade Consultation on Investment Protection in TTIP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Services Forum posted the replies of the European services industry to the Commission Public Consultation on Investment Protection in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)<\/a> on Friday, 11 July 2014. ESF welcomed some new proposals of the European executive, but expressed many concerns towards introduction of signifiant narrowings of the protection to investors, notably in the definition of investments, in the interpretation of the guarantee for \u201cfair and equitable treatment\u201d, in limiting the role of the arbitration tribunal, in excluding financial services from a standard protection, in introducing new risks of politicisation of cases, while the fundamental essence of ISDS is to ensure a neutral forum for dispute resolution, etc .<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a Joint Statement<\/a> adopted today (22 May 2014), at the occasion of the fifth negotiating round of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the US Coalition of Services Industries (CSI) and the European Services Forum (ESF) call upon the EU and US policy makers to ensure that the importance of trade and investment in services is duly reflected across the TTIP negotiations, particularly in the market access commitments, rules chapters and annexes, and in a regulatory cooperation framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the occasion of the Fourth round of the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership, the European Commission organised the \u201cStakeholder Presentations Event\u201d on 12th March. It gave the opportunity to more than 90 organisations to present their views on TTIP (Programme<\/a>). The European Services Forum and some of its members presented their priorities in the third session of the programme dedicated to \u201cIssues related to services, investment and public procurement\u201d. You can find ESF and some ESF Members\u2019 presentations here below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Business Alliance for TTIP urges Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Negotiators to Remain Ambitious. A comprehensive agreement could reinvigorate the European economy and create jobs. Markus Beyrer, Director-General, BUSINESSEUROPE, noted, \u201cTTIP is an optimal tool to bring the transatlantic economy back on track towards sustainable growth. It is an opportunity for businesses as well as the 800 million consumers who will enjoy a broader choice of high quality products and services while benefitting from highest levels of safety and environmental standards.\u201d See Joint Press Statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAhead of the forthcoming stocktaking of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations between the EU and the United States [which will take place in Washington on 17th<\/sup> & 18th<\/sup> February], the European Services Forum urges you to continue the negotiations at high speed and with high ambition\u201d said Sir Thomas in a letter sent to EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and Ambassador Michael Froman, United States Trade Representative on 11th February 2014<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no dispute that the greatest potential gains from TTIP will arise from improving regulatory coordination between the US and EU markets. Given the role of financial services in supporting transatlantic commerce, important gains can be realized by reducing or eliminating redundant or inconsistent financial regulations. Companies in all of the sectors of the economy use all kinds of financial services to fund and process their operations and mitigate risks inherent in the global marketplace. ESF and BUSINESSEUROPE argue therefore that the existing Regulatory Dialogues in Financial services and insurance could be strengthened and supported by the inclusion of financial services within the TTIP negotiations. See letter of 22 November 2013 Here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 14 June 2013, EU Member States gave the European Commission the mandate to start trade and investment talks with the United States.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The launch builds on the report of a High-Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth<\/a>, published in February 2013. In March 2013, the European Commission proposed negotiating guidelines<\/a> to the Member States and released an impact assessment<\/a>on the future of the EU-US trade relations and an in-depth independent study<\/a> on the potential effects of the EU-US TTIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When negotiations are completed, this EU-US agreement would be the biggest bilateral trade deal ever negotiated \u2013 and it could add around 0.5% to the EU\u2019s annual economic output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The European Union and the United States have the largest bilateral trade relationship and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DG TRade Reporet on \u201cTTIP, The Regulatory Part\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n EU Commissioner Karel De Gucht Speech on \u201cTTIP, Solving the Regulatory Puzzle\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The European services sector sets out its interests and priorities in the EU-US High Level Working Group (HLWG) in its submission to the European Commission\u2019s public consultation<\/a>. The HLWG will produce an interim report mid way through 2012 and final recommendation at the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The European Services Forum (ESF) and the US Coalition of Services industries (CSI), representing the exporting and investing services companies of the EU and of the US, welcomed the joint consultation made by the European Commission and the US Government on this important issue and decided to undertake a thorough consultation among theirs members before responding to this consultation. on 12 November 2012, the ESF\/CSI adopted, for the first time a joint paper on bilateral issues, a Joint Response to the EU and US call for input on regulatory issues for possible future trade agreement<\/a>. We believe that if the High Level Working Group wishes to create a real transatlantic services market, it must establish meaningful and outcome-driven regulatory cooperation in appropriate services sectors, involving not only regulators at EU and U.S. federal level, but also regulators at sub-federal level and EU Member states level, i.e. wherever the regulators are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The joint call is coming from prominent organisations from both side of the Atlantic, like AmchamEU, BRT, BUSINESSEUROPE, CSI, ESF, Eurochambres, TABD, US Chamber, etc. See the letter here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>On 16th May 2013, at the context of the 11th<\/sup> European Business Summit<\/a>, BUSINESSEUROPE<\/a>, EUROCHAMBRES<\/a>, the European Services Forum, the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (UAPME)<\/a>, the Transatlantic Business Council (TBC<\/a>), the Transatlantic Policy Network (TPN<\/a>), the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU<\/a>, AmChams in Europe<\/a> and the US Chamber of Commerce<\/a> launched the Business Alliance for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Members of the Alliance will work together to ensure the realization of a comprehensive transatlantic trade and investment agreement that will boost the economies of both continents and worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read the full press release here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On 10 May 2013, ESF adopted his Position paper on the Cross Border Data Flows. The fast growing innovation in information and communication technology (ICT) is clearly one of the most dynamic elements in the development of the world economy in the last decades. The normal functioning of the digital economy requires the routine movement of large amounts of personal data, within the domestic economy, but also in this global world, across borders, including between the EU and third countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ESF and ESF Members are following closely the development of the proposal for a Regulation on the protection of individuals with regards to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (General Data Protection Regulation). This Paper however only focusses on the international dimension of the digital economy and the how notably the trade policy can contribute to ensure common disciplines for a smooth cross border data flow<\/a> in a globalised world.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoint CSI & ESF Statement: \u201cSERVICES MUST BE A MAJOR COMPONENT OF TTIP\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ESF & ESF Members priorities presented at TTIP Stakeholders Event \u2013 Brussels, 12 March 2014<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cSupporting growth: the better integration of EU-US financial markets under TTIP<\/a>\u201c<\/li>\n\n\n\nBUSINESS Alliance for TTIP Press Release ahead of Fourth Round, 10 March 2014<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ESF Chairman message to De Gucht and Froman on TTIP:<\/strong> \u201cTTIP talks must continue at high speed and with high ambition\u201d 11\/02\/2014<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ESF and BUSINESSEUROPE call for inclusion of financial services regulatory cooperation into TTIP talks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Background:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nESF and TTIP<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nEuropean Services Forum adopted a Position Paper on the Cross Border Data Flows<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
More Information:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![<\/a>On 16th May 2013, at the context of the 11th<\/sup> European Business Summit<\/a>, BUSINESSEUROPE<\/a>, EUROCHAMBRES<\/a>, the European Services Forum, the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (UAPME)<\/a>, the Transatlantic Business Council (TBC<\/a>), the Transatlantic Policy Network (TPN<\/a>), the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU<\/a>, AmChams in Europe<\/a> and the US Chamber of Commerce<\/a> launched the Business Alliance for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).<\/p>\n\n\n\nMembers of the Alliance will work together to ensure the realization of a comprehensive transatlantic trade and investment agreement that will boost the economies of both continents and worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRead the full press release here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEuropean Services Forum adopted a Position Paper on the Cross Border Data Flows<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOn 10 May 2013, ESF adopted his Position paper on the Cross Border Data Flows. The fast growing innovation in information and communication technology (ICT) is clearly one of the most dynamic elements in the development of the world economy in the last decades. The normal functioning of the digital economy requires the routine movement of large amounts of personal data, within the domestic economy, but also in this global world, across borders, including between the EU and third countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\nESF and ESF Members are following closely the development of the proposal for a Regulation on the protection of individuals with regards to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (General Data Protection Regulation). This Paper however only focusses on the international dimension of the digital economy and the how notably the trade policy can contribute to ensure common disciplines for a smooth cross border data flow<\/a> in a globalised world.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMore Information:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nDG Trade website<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\nTTIP \u2013 The Economic Analysis Explained (Study by Centre for Economic Policy Research)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nOne thought on \u201cEU-US TTIP\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nPingback: \u201cThe voice of the European services industries in international trade negotiations.\u201d | ESF<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ESF Position Paper on Regulatory Cooperation in TTIP: The case of the services sectors ESF adopted its \u201cPosition Paper on Regulatory Cooperation in TTIP: The case of the services sectors\u201d on 17 November 2014. European Services companies are very keen in seeing concrete progress on regulatory cooperation in TTIP, not only in the goods sectors […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":149,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-176","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esf.be\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/176","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esf.be\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esf.be\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esf.be\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esf.be\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=176"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.esf.be\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1044,"href":"https:\/\/www.esf.be\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/176\/revisions\/1044"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esf.be\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esf.be\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.esf.be\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Business-Alliance-for-TTIP-15-May-2013-web.jpg\"){kind=link}