France’s Unexpected Role on the Way to a Reasonable and Balanced TTIP

In many countries, such as in France, concerns are being raised over the kind of economic and social relationship that Europeans would like to have with their U.S. partners. Ratification of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) will depend primarily on how European governments address these concerns. The French government, like every other EU member state government, should actively engage in the public debate to limit growing misperceptions of TTIP, encourage fact-based discussions about the negotiations, and at the same time clarify its own public messaging when it comes to politically sensitive chapters of the agreement. France should seize the opportunity to drive discussions on a more conciliatory and flexible agreement, and at the same time build a leadership role in designing the future of trade and investment policy in Europe.