During a debate in the French Senate, all political parties harshly criticised the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), but the French government defended the potential deal, EurActiv France reports.
The minister in charge of foreign trade, Nicole Bricq, admit with regret that France was the country where the mobilisation against what they call the 'transatlantic treaty', is the strongest.
A debate, which took place in the Senate on Thursday (9 January), showed bipartisan opposition to the agreement and the government found itself somewhat isolated on the topic after facing criticism from speakers from all political sides.
American public markets
The most moderate speakers underlined the potential opportunities that the opening of the US public markets would represent for French companies.
For many, a dream that is still far from becoming a reality. Indeed, because of the “Buy American Act,” the US is very hostile to the idea of having Europeans participate in tenders such as water or waste where they could be competitive.
One of the rare French senators to show optimism on the issue, the socialist Daniel Raoul, warned against the danger of a dispute settlement mechanism between investors and states, which is in the negotiation mandate of the Commission.
This mechanism gives companies the possibility to sue a state whose legislation could have a negative impact on the company’s activity. A US shale gas producer could, for example, take legal action against France because it prohibits its exploitation. That would have serious financial consequences.
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