Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 21 September 2016: TTIP/CETA agreements amid turmoil

A few days ago, a group of European countries decided to push negotiations in support of the CETA, the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. Concretely, they contacted Cecilia Malmstrom, the European Commissioner for Trade. Additionally, 12 EU ministers recently characterized the TTIP as "an opportunity to shape the rules of trade in the 21st century". These reactions come after France demanded to end the TTIP talks.

François Hollande stated that he would not support a deal this year. More recently, massive protests in Germany took place, specifically against the TTIP and CETA, and the German Economy Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, said last month that the talks had "de facto failed".

In this context, President Obama is trying to urge his European partners to intensify the negotiations. For instance, he recently commended the Latvia's support of the agreement, during a meeting with the new Latvian Ambassador.