In response to the EU-US framework on an agreement on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade, the ETUC welcomes the predictability such an agreement offers, but raises concerns on the impact 15% tariffs on most industrial goods would still have on jobs, coupled with the lack of accompanying measures to protect jobs and production in Europe, the impact on investment in Europe, and the regulatory commitments under the agreement to additional flexibility and burden reduction.
ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:
"It is a matter of concern to workers that the deal does not take into account the impact on jobs and flanking measures to support good jobs creation in Europe are not foreseen alongside this agreement to cushion its effects.
"The ETUC continues to call for support for workers in the sectors affected.
"This deal seems to favour the US and could undermine the EU's right to regulate in a number of areas, a far cry from the 'reciprocal, fair and balanced trade' its title proclaims. We call on the EU to reclaim its economic and regulatory sovereignty."
