Dr. Christian Ehler ist Vorsitzender der Delegation für die Beziehungen zu den Vereinigten Staaten und des Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue Steering Committee des Europäischen Parlamentes. Dem Europäischen Parlament gehört er seit 2004 an. Neben seiner Tätigkeit als Abgeordneter ist Dr. Ehler im Vorstand der CDU Brandenburg und Small and Medium Entepreneurs Union der EVP aktiv. Er ist Diplom Volkswirt und Journalist und promovierte 1993 über die U.S. Handelspolitik unter der Reagan Präsidentschaft.
Transatlantic relations are facing rather turbulent times: In 2012 Europeans welcomed the re-election of President Obama who they- the young generation in particular – believed to be a close ally for the European Union and a trusted partner and the anticipation to start negotiations on a comprehensive US-EU Trade Agreement fuelled the hope for an intensification of transatlantic relations. In 2013 this spirit has been profoundly shaken by the revelations on surveillance programmes by the US Intelligence Community, especially its NSA.
To sum it up: on the one hand we are dealing with a massive betrayal of confidence and on the other hand we have the historic opportunity to work on the realization of the transatlantic economic relationship’s full potential.
How to deal with this concomitance?
Well, the methods of the US Intelligence Community – in particular when directed against leading representatives of befriended nations and within their premises – are completely unacceptable and have to be investigated thoroughly.
But: and I have repeated that continuously- we should not put at risk one of the largest transatlantic projects of this decade, the TTIP!
Free trade agreements are an important part of combating economic downturns, announcing the launch of concrete measures tackling the economic challenges on both sides of the Atlantic is absolutely convenient. My personal convictions, which I share with the majority of my colleagues in the European Parliament, have not changed; I remain convinced that especially in times of economic crisis, protectionism should be avoided by any means.
Let me put this into a larger context: By successfully concluding the negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement we will lay the foundation for prosperity and wealth of future generations. If the EU and the US manage to agree on common standards, they will become global standards- and that would benefit companies and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Europe is confronted with tough economic times and severe youth unemployment. The „under-thirties“ would benefit tremendously from a comprehensive trade deal. This generation has been shaped by the internet and the freedom of travelling and mobility. Stronger economic ties between the EU and the US would provide young (and not only the young) Europeans with exciting opportunities to work with transatlantic partners – a transatlantic free trade agreement would create much-needed jobs, lower the consumer prizes and provide new economic growth in Europe.
Already today the German company Siemens, for example, employs some 60,000 people in the United States and General Electric employs some 70,000 workers in Europe – with less regulatory barriers these numbers would increase even more.
But as I have indicated before TTIP is about more than just those numbers: Engaging in a project of such a scope is a strategic move of tremendous importance. It will shape the future of our transatlantic relationship and strengthen the ties between the biggest economies of the world. By successfully concluding the negotiations we will be at the forefront of global trade and set the standards of tomorrow. I would even go as far to compare the TTIP project of today with the NATO alliance: We are not fighting against bombs and tanks this time but the economic downturn threatens the future of billions of Europeans and Americans just as much – we could lose a whole generation if we do not act immediately. We have to concentrate forces and move ahead together, together with a new generation that is eager to support this project by safeguarding our shared core values and common goals.
The European Parliament and particularly the US Delegation, of which I took over the Chairmanship in 2012, will play an active role in promoting and supporting an EU-US FTA and thereby ensure closer transatlantic economic cooperation in combating our pressing crises. Furthermore, using our new powers gained with the Lisbon Treaty, my fellow Members of the European Parliament and I intend to ensure that we remain immediately and fully informed at all stages of negotiations. We will claim the maximum of transparency possible and will take all concerns and positions of citizens and stakeholders seriously – in particular when it comes to the most sensitive areas such as agriculture and food intensive, argumentative and factual debates are essential!
As a MEP and as a father of three who wants to ensure that his kids will benefit from the conclusion of a comprehensive trade agreement with the US I will fight for an agreement that will not undermine regulation and existing levels of protection in areas like health, safety and the environment!
Dr. Christian Ehler is the chairman of the Delegation for Relations with the United States and the Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue Steering Committee of the European Parliament. He is a member of the European Parliament since 2004.
Transatlantic relations are facing rather turbulent times: In 2012 Europeans welcomed the re-election of President Obama who they- the young generation in particular – believed to be a close ally for the European Union and a trusted partner and the anticipation to start negotiations on a comprehensive US-EU Trade Agreement fuelled the hope for an intensification of transatlantic relations. In 2013 this spirit has been profoundly shaken by the revelations on surveillance programmes by the US Intelligence Community, especially its NSA.
To sum it up: on the one hand we are dealing with a massive betrayal of confidence and on the other hand we have the historic opportunity to work on the realization of the transatlantic economic relationship’s full potential.
How to deal with this concomitance?
Well, the methods of the US Intelligence Community – in particular when directed against leading representatives of befriended nations and within their premises – are completely unacceptable and have to be investigated thoroughly.
But: and I have repeated that continuously- we should not put at risk one of the largest transatlantic projects of this decade, the TTIP!
Free trade agreements are an important part of combating economic downturns, announcing the launch of concrete measures tackling the economic challenges on both sides of the Atlantic is absolutely convenient. My personal convictions, which I share with the majority of my colleagues in the European Parliament, have not changed; I remain convinced that especially in times of economic crisis, protectionism should be avoided by any means.
Let me put this into a larger context: By successfully concluding the negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement we will lay the foundation for prosperity and wealth of future generations. If the EU and the US manage to agree on common standards, they will become global standards- and that would benefit companies and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Europe is confronted with tough economic times and severe youth unemployment. The „under-thirties“ would benefit tremendously from a comprehensive trade deal. This generation has been shaped by the internet and the freedom of travelling and mobility. Stronger economic ties between the EU and the US would provide young (and not only the young) Europeans with exciting opportunities to work with transatlantic partners – a transatlantic free trade agreement would create much-needed jobs, lower the consumer prizes and provide new economic growth in Europe.
Already today the German company Siemens, for example, employs some 60,000 people in the United States and General Electric employs some 70,000 workers in Europe – with less regulatory barriers these numbers would increase even more.
But as I have indicated before TTIP is about more than just those numbers: Engaging in a project of such a scope is a strategic move of tremendous importance. It will shape the future of our transatlantic relationship and strengthen the ties between the biggest economies of the world. By successfully concluding the negotiations we will be at the forefront of global trade and set the standards of tomorrow. I would even go as far to compare the TTIP project of today with the NATO alliance: We are not fighting against bombs and tanks this time but the economic downturn threatens the future of billions of Europeans and Americans just as much – we could lose a whole generation if we do not act immediately. We have to concentrate forces and move ahead together, together with a new generation that is eager to support this project by safeguarding our shared core values and common goals.
The European Parliament and particularly the US Delegation, of which I took over the Chairmanship in 2012, will play an active role in promoting and supporting an EU-US FTA and thereby ensure closer transatlantic economic cooperation in combating our pressing crises. Furthermore, using our new powers gained with the Lisbon Treaty, my fellow Members of the European Parliament and I intend to ensure that we remain immediately and fully informed at all stages of negotiations. We will claim the maximum of transparency possible and will take all concerns and positions of citizens and stakeholders seriously – in particular when it comes to the most sensitive areas such as agriculture and food intensive, argumentative and factual debates are essential!
As a MEP and as a father of three who wants to ensure that his kids will benefit from the conclusion of a comprehensive trade agreement with the US I will fight for an agreement that will not undermine regulation and existing levels of protection in areas like health, safety and the environment!