The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a proposed free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US). This agreement aims to reduce barriers to trade and investment between the two regions, and it has been the subject of much controversy and debate.
One of the key issues surrounding TTIP is the concept of a “mixed agreement.” In EU law, a mixed agreement is one that falls under both the competence of the EU and that of individual member states. This means that certain aspects of the agreement must be approved by both the EU institutions and the parliaments of each member state.
TTIP has been designated as a mixed agreement because it deals with a wide range of policy areas, including trade, investment, regulatory measures, and intellectual property rights. This has presented a number of challenges in terms of negotiations and implementation.
One of the primary concerns about TTIP as a mixed agreement is the potential for it to undermine democracy and accountability. Critics argue that allowing trade deals to be negotiated at the EU level reduces the ability of individual member states to control their own economic policies, and could lead to a loss of sovereignty.
There are also concerns about the impact of TTIP on environmental and labor standards. Some worry that the agreement could lead to a “race to the bottom” in terms of regulations, as countries compete to attract foreign investment and reduce costs.
Despite these concerns, proponents of TTIP argue that it has the potential to bring significant economic benefits to both the EU and the US. They argue that reducing trade barriers and increasing investment could lead to increased growth, job creation, and innovation.
Ultimately, the fate of TTIP as a mixed agreement remains uncertain. Negotiations have been ongoing since 2013, but progress has been slow, and there are many obstacles still to overcome. Whether or not TTIP will be seen as a positive or negative development for the EU and its member states remains to be seen.