Opponents of CETA argue that it limits the ability of states to regulate important subjects like consumer health. However, the EU has always limited this to some extent. Does CETA limit the freedom to regulate even more?
With German minister of Economic Affairs Gabriel and French president Hollande declaring failure of the negotiations between the US and the EU on TTIP, which would further integrate their economies, official enthusiasm for the deal has also disappeared.
Still widely unknown to the public, TTIP is said to bring economic prosperity and jobs. But is it suited to protect European food safety standards and overcome different regulatory philosophies on antimicrobials?
There is a lot of concern about a mechanism in international agreements that allows private parties to challenge government measures before ad hoc arbitral tribunals (‘ISDS’). Do courts in the EU offer a better alternative?