Articles 24 to 28 of Chapter IV would allow the free movement of managers and other employees of a company for the purpose of time limitation between all States Parties to the Convention. [42] However, Article 1(2) specifies that the general freedom of movement of workers and citizens is not permitted. In early 2013, Canadian media observers speculated that the launch of TTIP talks would pressure Canada to ratify its own three-year FTA negotiations with the EU by the end of 2013. [138] Countries with customs agreements with the EU, such as Turkey, could face the prospect of opening their markets to US products without access to their own products without a separate agreement with the US. [139] While the proposed agreement has enjoyed strong support from many influential groups within the business community, the plan has also been the subject of much criticism. Critics of TAFTA have argued that consumer groups will lose a lot if the plan is adopted. Consumers, it has been said, risk losing out in the free trade agreement if large groups manage to dilute European consumer protection legislation. European consumer and environmental associations believe that any trade agreement reached would allow foreign companies to assert their rights against a country if it breaches the treaty in the future. According to anti-TAFTA groups, this would significantly reduce the rights of countries to legislate to properly protect their citizens or the environment. Critics of the plan have also mocked this element of the proposed deal, calling it Orwellian and an attack on democracy. At France`s request, trade in audiovisual services was excluded from the EU`s negotiating mandate. [131] The European side insisted that the agreement include a chapter on the regulation of financial services.
But the U.S. side, which recently passed the Dodd-Frank Act in this area, opposes it. [132] U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Anthony L. Gardner denied any connection between the two topics. [133] On October 7, the United States and the European Union will resume negotiations on the Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement (TFTA) that began earlier this year. Given that tariffs and quotas between the US and the EU are already quite low, the negotiations will mainly focus on removing “non-tariff barriers” (such as differences in standards and rules) in order to expand trade across the Atlantic. . . .