ZG Worldwide at The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Conference.

On May 1 Lothar Soliwon of ZG Worldwide attended The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership conference sponsored by the World Affairs Councils of America and International Trade Center at Bradley University in Peoria.   In attendance were the consul general of Greece, Croatia, Bulgaria, Netherlands, UK, Poland and France.  The TTIP was proposed to lower barriers to trade between the US and EU.  Investments and services are particular areas of interests as well as goods because of the sheer volume of investments.  The TTIP would seek trade harmonization, and trade negotiations must distinguish between activities that will benefit the US economy by supporting US jobs, domestic growth and economic activity and those that only benefit shareholder value for certain corporations.  For example, in the auto industry, standards for safety would be harmonized or recognized on both sides of the Atlantic.  GMOs and hormone treated foods are a point of contention in Europe.