The Global Impact of TTIP: Geopolitics and Trade Politics

The EU and the US together make up almost 50 per cent of global GDP and account for a third of global trade. But the impact of closer cooperation can go beyond just economic gains. A smart Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) should have crucial geopolitical effect. TTIP could set global standards before other, soon larger, economies do so. To strengthen rules-based trade and our quality-of-life values on issues like health, food safety, labour laws and environment, we must act now. Diversifying our exports and globally strengthening rules-based trade is important for the EU, which is heavily dependent on exports. Additionally, an energy chapter will help the EU become independent of imports from countries such as Russia and Saudi Arabia.