Hours after the German Vice Chancellor pronounced a trade deal with the US (TTIP) “ de facto failed,” the European Commission rebuked the claim.

On Monday the European Commission’s spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a news conference that talks are in a “crucial stage,” but there is an outline of the agreement.

Germany’s Vice Chancellor, Sigmar Gabriel, told ZDF on Sunday that the three years and 16-rounds negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) have failed. Schinas says the European Commission still has the mandate to also commit London in its negotiations, although many doubt that is still politically the case.

Further remarks on the matter are expected following the EU trade ministers meeting in Bratislava on September 22nd.

(Reuters, DW)

https://www.neweurope.eu/article/european-commission-insists-ttip-negotiations-track/