German objections to trade deal with Canada may sink US talks
The German government is reportedly slamming the brakes on negotiations for an EU-Canadian free trade agreement, a move which could also bring an end to talks for a much larger deal with the US government.
According to German daily newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung this weekend, German officials will not consent to the agreement which is currently being developed, because of an opposition to sections about the protection of investors.
The rejection by the German government would likely be a bad signal for the transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP), the deal currently being talked over between EU and US representatives, and would likely have similar clauses.
The French government in particular has expressed reservations over an agreement, and could use German opposition as a pretext to sink a prospective deal. The Centre for Economic Policy Research estimates that TTIP would be worth around €95bn (£75.16bn) to the EU.