Trans-Atlantic trade deal in focus when Obama visits Germany

When President Barack Obama opens the world's largest industrial fair in the northern German city of Hannover tomorrow, he'll be leading a delegation of American companies hoping to conquer new markets abroad.
He'll also be trying to complete one of his presidency's main pieces of unfinished business a trans-Atlantic trade pact.
Officials in Washington and Brussels are trying to clinch key parts of the deal before the end of the year, after which a new US president and election campaigns in major European countries could complicate negotiations.
Proponents of the agreement known as the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP argue that lowering tariffs and harmonising rules would give a much-needed boost to businesses at a time of global economic uncertainty. Or as Obama put it when the talks launched three years ago: "New growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic."

But this rosy view of TTIP hasn't caught the public's imagination, particularly in Germany, where more than 100,000 people marched through the streets of Berlin in November to protest the proposed pact.
Trade unions, nationalists and green groups have lobbied hard against the deal, claiming that it will drive down wages, erode consumer protection and environmental standards.

The discussions, due to resume on Monday in New York, have come under criticism for the secretive manner in which they've been conducted. National lawmakers are only allowed to view draft documents in special reading rooms and are forbidden from talking about the documents with experts, the media or their constituents.

Proposals to create dispute settlement tribunals have also stoked fears. EU trade chief Cecilia Malmstrom envisages special investment courts that would rule in disputes between governments and companies that feel they face undue legal hurdles to their business.
Critics say such courts could place the interests of corporations above those of democratically elected governments, citing a recent case where tobacco giant Philip Morris sued Uruguay over a law requiring graphic warnings on cigarette packages.
Alfred de Zayas, an American law professor and UN human rights expert, argues that such courts are unnecessary in countries that abide by the rule of law, such as the United States or the EU's 28 nations.

Backers of the special courts say they would prevent cases from being heard by American jurors who don't understand the complexities of international trade law, and ensure that US companies don't face discrimination in European countries with high rates of corruption.
Juergen Hardt, a German lawmaker and the government's coordinator for trans-Atlantic cooperation, believes some of those leading the fight against TTIP "have other motivations" beyond trade.