TTIP: Might is Right - VPRO documentary - 2015

The proposed free trade agreement between the US and Europe (TTIP, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) causes concern about the European right to self-determination. The most controversial part of TTIP is ISDS: investor-state dispute settlement that will make it possible for companies to sue governments that damage their investments.

Tens of thousands of European citizens protested against TTIP, which would create the world’s largest free-trade zone. According to the Dutch government TTIP could be realized as soon as 2016. If the EU ratifies the trade agreement, critics fear that the scales will tilt toward North-American standards and values with regard to (food) safety, workers’ and consumer rights.

In order to understand the potential consequences of this, VPRO Backlight traveled to Canada, which became one of the most sued countries in the world after it entered into a trade agreement with the US. With: Steve Verheul (Canadian negotiator), Gus van Harten (Canadian lawyer and ISDS expert), Nikos Lavranos (former negotiator for the Netherlands) and British Korean economist Ha-Joon Chang.

Originally broadcasted by VPRO in 2015.
© VPRO Backlight October 2015

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Credits:
Director: Roland Duong
Research: William de Bruijn
Producers: Jolanda Segers, Bircan Unlu
Commissioning editors: Marije Meerman, Doke Romeijn
English, French and Spanish subtitles: Ericsson.
French and Spanish subtitles are co-funded by European Union.

[SuperLeodk]

Thank you for this doc VPRO. Always a pleasure to stay informed with you guys!

[KelticKhaos]

I've posted this to my fb, and Twitter, this really needs to go viral!

[gavinbullock]

Let's hope Europe escapes TTIP - this documentary was a revelation to me.

[sharoncecil]

Slavery has been an issue since pre-Biblical times. It is NOT a problem unique to the United States of America! This is an oft repeated and very insulting supposition. Where is slavery most prevalent TODAY?

[reganheavey]

Thank you for this excellently researched and informed documentary. Should and soon probably will go viral.

[Alguien_rocambolesco]

Shared this in social media...Its crazy that nobody seems to know about this

[patrickmccormack]

Questions for Canada: The work of Harold Adams Innis provided clear direction for the sale & marketing of natural resources. Why was his work ignored? Why was his work not put to practical use?

[TheDixiechick]

Evil Corporate greed, don't buy their products world wide

[cybair]

Democracies are going down the drain. We need a responsible government like that of Russia and China.

[luantomazelli]

#FeelTheBern
A must see to understand the risks of trade agreements among countries...

[TheEmptySki]

VPRO, one of the best shoes out there.

[andrewdun]

Australia has just signed many ISDS agreements with the US. (TPP)

[MrEssmarbu]

Thank you for making this documentary. I'm definitely sharing it!

[SWPetitDragon]

thank you for this amazingly clear documentary ! I will share it. one objection however : too bad that no woman appears...

[classmate]

I think I like this version better than the original!

[michelepiteo]

The world is tribal and has been since 2 million years diverging from hominids. I don't see how mankind can be moulded otherwise in 50 years. So no might does not mean right when the correct description is Looting.

[whoismarkallen]

When his phone went off at 26:55 I lost it.

[Stevie-joes]

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me . Shame on all of us , shame on the moon.

[iconoclast]

simplistic, one sided presentation, (does Mr Chang really think the TTIP has something to do with promoting slavery). The world is in a mess largely because of governments bad decisions and they make bad decisions with impunity because they suffer no consequences for their poor judgement. Being held to account in a court of law is exactly what they and the world needs.

[terrendously]

You forgot to mention that Germany invented ISDS and it is already in place between the EU and dozens of other countries. ISDS means you cannot treat companies from a close trading partner in a discriminatory fashion. If properly written, these rules are necessary to uphold rule of law in trade relations and give 'teeth' to trade agreements.