TTIP Round 8 stakeholders events, 4th February 2015
European business and advocacy groups have expressed strong support for a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement that should not only aim at full tariff liberalisation but also strive for a substantial reduction of existing non-trade barriers (NTBs) between the two trading partners. The message was delivered during a stakeholders’ meeting, on 4 February in Brussels. CLEPA took part in this stakeholders meeting and asked for a comprehensive and ambitious agreement, providing for the:
· Dismantling of NTBs, through regulatory convergence
· Establishment of a Regulatory Cooperation Body (RCB), to facilitate regulatory approximation and an early warning mechanism to consult on planned legislation
· Elimination of tariffs reciprocally, securing 100% liberalisation, upon entry into force or short-term stage-in
· Simplification of customs procedures
· Cooperation on public procurement, dual-use items and export controls
· Addressing the gaps between Intellectual Property protection
The European and American Automotive Suppliers industry respectively represented by CLEPA and MEMA are actively supporting the renewed effort on the TTIP negotiations this year, as stated in a letter sent to Commissioner Malmström and US Trade Representative Michael Froman last week.