Ref. Ares(2015)4683871 - 29/10/2015
Ref. Ares(2017)3665978 - 20/07/2017
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Directorate-General for Trade
Directorate E - Neighbouring countries, USA and Canada
USA and Canada
Brussels,
USA and Canada
Meeting Report
Report - Meeting between Christian Burgsmüller and an FDP delegation of the
Nordrhein Westfalen Landtag – 8/9
Constructive meeting with pro-TTIP audience. Speakers confirmed that the negative
rhetoric and mistrust persist. Several speakers regretted that the debate focussed still too
little on facts and too much on fears and misperceptions. Outreach would be needed
towards SME and workers representatives, starting to deploy an anti-TTIP narrative. The
need for greater outreach towards the local authorities associations (kommunalen
Spitzenverbände) was mentioned. One of the speakers suggested publishing a clear list of
issues that are clearly outside the scope of the Agreement (for e.g. forced privatisation of
water services). More outreach was considered necessary also towards the middle class
who seem to have lost trust in the benefits of free trade. Some participants asked about
the ISDS reform.
Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË - Tel. +32 22991111
Document Outline