US stubbornness will end EU free trade deal warns France

[MowCowWhoHow III]

Source: The Local (French Edition)

A French minister has once again expressed the country's frustration with the US over the Transatlantic free trade deal that is in danger of collapsing.

Negotiations for a vast US-EU trade pact, which aims to create a free-trade zone covering 850 million people, are likely to
grind to a halt because of Washington's reluctance to make concessions, France's minister of state for trade warned Tuesday.

"In view of the United States' state of mind today, that seems to be the most likely option," French trade secretary Matthias Fekl said when asked if the talks on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which began in 2013, could have to stop.

Fekl's comments reflect deep suspicion in Europe that the deal will erode ecological and health regulations to the advantage of big business.

Read more: http://www.thelocal.fr/20160503/united-states-france-ttip-stubbornness-could-end-eu-trade-deal-says-france

[Bad Dog]

1. Remember the Alamo.

That gave the English language the phrase 'draw a line in the sand.' Europeans do not want big business to get their hands on our health care, neither do we want to consume the 200 food additives currently banned over here that Americans consume. That's our line in the sand.

[Ghost Dog]

4. Alamo, right. (But at risk of seeming pedantic

There is reference to an actual line being drawn in several historical, or legendary, military events:

One of the earliest recorded instances is in Indian epic Ramayana where Lakshmana draws a line around the dwelling to protect Sita. This phrase is often used in India even today, and is called Lakshman Rekha.

In 168 BC, a Roman Consul named Gaius Popillius Laenas drew a circular line in the sand around King Antiochus IV of the Seleucid Empire, then said, "Before you cross this circle I want you to give me a reply for the Roman Senate" – implying that Rome would declare war if the King stepped out of the circle without committing to leave Egypt immediately. Weighing his options, Antiochus wisely decided to withdraw. Only then did Popillius agree to shake hands with him.

In 1527, during the second expedition for the conquest of Peru, the Governor of Panama sent two ships to Isla de Gallo to rescue Francisco Pizarro and his troops. Pizarro drew a line in the sand, saying: "There lies Peru with its riches; Here, Panama and its poverty. Choose, each man, what best becomes a brave Castilian." Only thirteen men (The Famous Thirteen) continued with Pizarro, the others left for Panama.

In 1807 or 1808, the Maori tribe Ngāti Whātua won a battle against their Ngapuhi enemies on a beach at Moremonui in the far north of New Zealand. One of the victorious chiefs, Taoho, drew a line in the sand with his spear and ordered that no Ngapuhi were to be slain beyond that point. This battle, the first of the Musket Wars, was called Te Kai a te Karoro (the Feast of the Seagulls) because seagulls joined the victors in eating the slain.[2]

In the United States, the phrase is most commonly associated with Texas history surrounding the Battle of the Alamo, as it is attributed to Colonel William Travis, commander of the Alamo defense forces.[3] In the waning days of the Battle (somewhere during March 3–5, 1836), with Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna having the Alamo completely surrounded, Santa Anna sent a messenger to Travis demanding surrender, or else everyone in the compound would be killed. According to the legend, Travis called the Alamo defenders together, explained that defeat was almost certain, and read the letter of surrender; Travis then (having chosen to die instead of surrender) reportedly pulled his battle sword, used it to draw a line in the ground of the Alamo, and asked for volunteers to cross over the line and join him, understanding their decision would be irreversible. The legend states that all but one of the defenders (including Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett) joined Travis on his side of the line; Moses Rose was the only defender choosing to leave the compound. Travis then responded to Santa Anna's letter with cannon fire, whereupon Santa Anna replied by playing El Degüello.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_in_the_sand_(phrase)

)

[Bad Dog]

5. You got me.

You should go on mythbusters.

[Bad Dog]

6. You have to admit.

Remember the Alamo rolls off the tongue a lot better than Remember Gaius Popillius Laenas.

[Ghost Dog]

7. Heh heh. There's a tune, too!

But seriously, battle-lines are being drawn, I observe.

[Bad Dog]

11. I saw John Otway perform it.

At the Joiner's Arms Southampton. Probably not what Jane Bowers hoped for her song, but I liked it.

You're right lines are drawn, and they need to be.

[Ghost Dog]

17. To be honest, I'd prefer to listen to the likes of Ritchie Havens:

http://m.

[Bad Dog]

22. John Otway is something else.

He does go a bit crazy on stage, but he can be very funny and he's a thoroughly nice bloke. After his set he sat chatting and drinking in the bar with everyone else.

Having said that Havens clearly is a brilliant guitarist.

[EdwardBernays]

2. We live in hope.

Cone on EU.

[Divernan]

3. Thank you, EU!

Providing a bulwark against corporate greed. And thank you to all those citizens of the EU who are politically astute, ever-vigilant and ready to man the barricades and take to the streets in protest.

[Enthusiast]

8. Stop the fucking thing. One way or another. TPP too.

[pampango]

9. "The Americans want to hold fast to their 'Buy American' idea. Europeans can't accept that."

That would be an interesting 'concession' that the EU wants to sink the TTIP talks on. It sounds like EU negotiators want no "Buy American", "Buy German", "Buy French" provisions in the TTIP. Apparently nationalism is more diluted in Europe.

I did not realize that Obama was 'holding fast' to the "Buy American" provision or that the EU negotiators wanted them removed from the agreement.

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/eu-us-trade-deal-fail-090302713.html

In the video, Europeans are worried about the relative lack of rights that American workers have compared to their European counterparts. Of course on the flip side Democratic support for TTIP may be based on a hope that it might provide European-style workers' rights to Americans.

[SujiwanKenobee]

10. Hmm.

Heck, we can't even get our own citizens to embrace "Buy American" , especially when there's always a 'deal' to be had from Walmart, Dollar Store, Home Depot, etc.

[goldent]

19. "Of course on the flip side Democratic support for TTIP

may be based on a hope that it might provide European-style workers' rights to Americans."

Hard to imagine that.

[djean111]

12. This -

Fekl's comments reflect deep suspicion in Europe that the deal will erode ecological and health regulations to the advantage of big business.

The deal is designed to do exactly that.

[mountain grammy]

13. and then this:

"Europe is offering a lot and we are getting very little in return. This is unacceptable," said Fekl, who negotiates trade deals on behalf of France.

American workers can understand this argument. Fuck free trade.

[AllyCat]

14. Appalled that our country is the one pushing this. Thrilled that someone

is getting a clue and starting to buck this, because we certainly don't have the will.

OPPOSE THE TPP!!

[goldent]

20. We just have to hope the US negotiators don't cave in.

[AllyCat]

21. The ones negotiating for this crumb deal

Or against?

[goldent]

23. I think all the US representatives are trying to make a deal

and will do what it takes to accomplish that. It seems like these days there is high pressure to make the deal regardless of the terms (they fear that refusing to "compromise" makes us look "nationalistic&quot . I hope negotiations fail, but am worried that not only do they make a deal, but make it even worse by making all kinds concessions.

[Blue_Tires]

15. Hollande has elections coming up, and needs to position himself with his base...

[Dont call me Shirley]

16. GOOD! Somebody needs to stop these "trade deals" aka Total One-World Fascist Take-Over!

[Sunlei]

18. We need our USA food standards changed to EU food quality regulations.

Or they won't buy our stuff. They know our USA food corps use deceptive labeling and additives like pink slime, have poorly regulated slaughter facilities. Let toxic foods be sold and recall after it kills people, like our domestic ice cream.

[bemildred]

24. So both sides feel like they are getting screwed. Sounds like a great deal. nt