Setbacks for TTIP and TPA: What about TFA?

French owned cargo ship (Simon Greter)

US President Barack Obama would like to finalize two international trade deals, but had a setback:

Setback for TTIP as Congress holds on to trade powers

May 13, 2015

WASHINGTON—The Obama administration is pressing hard to win approval of controversial trade legislation in Congress, as

A fast conclusion to talks between the EU and US on a trade deal became less likely Tuesday, after US senators refused to give president Barack Obama the power to negotiate on their behalf.

Obama had wanted the green-light to fasttrack negotiations and needed the support of 60 out of 100 senators.

But the Trade Promotion Authority bill failed to pass with 52 senators voting in favour, and 45 against.

If the bill had been passed, Congress would have given away its right to amend international trade deals for the next five years and limited the legislature’s influence to a yes/no vote.

Remarkably, Obama’s support came mostly from Republicans, with only one Democrat voting in favour.

The vote means the US Congress keeps its power to amend or filibuster any trade deals the president agrees on, including the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

The European Commission, for its part, has been promoting the trade deal, which would remove custom duties and harmonise EU-US regulations and standards.

It expects TTIP to increase EU economic growth by €119 billion a year. https://euobserver.com/economic/128695

The powers that be in the European Union want a deal and are not thrilled by how the USA has been handling this.

As far as what TTIP is, here is more information on it from the BBC:

May 13, 2015

What is TTIP and what is it for?

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or it will be if the negotiations are completed. The aim is to boost the economies of the EU and the US by removing or reducing barriers to trade and foreign investment.

President Obama said, when the talks were launched, that TTIP would promote “new growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic”. Critics reject that claim…

How would TTIP work?

By eliminating almost all tariffs (taxes applied only to imported goods) on trade between the US and the EU.

But the tariffs imposed by the US and EU are already relatively low for the most part, although there are some exceptions in, for example, farm produce and textiles.

The bigger gains envisaged would come from reducing what are called non-tariff barriers. In particular the two sides think they can promote trade through what they call regulatory co-operation. …

Why is TTIP controversial?

Regulation

Much of the concern is about the regulatory aspect: that it would lead to lower standards of consumer and environmental protection and safety at work. A group of 170 European civil society organisations said in a statement that regulatory co-operation as envisaged in TTIP would result in “downward harmonisation”. …

What is the timetable?

A summit of European leaders in December called for a comprehensive agreement by the end of 2015.

That will be challenging, given the technical complexity and the vigorous opposition. It would then have to be approved by the US Congress, European Trade Ministers (voting by what is called qualified majority) and the European Parliament. http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32691589

Presuming that TTIP does get approved eventually, it is my view that the Europeans will be the ones to force more of their standards on the USA as opposed to the other way around. This will be necessary to reduce opposition from various ones in Europe. In the USA, the objection is NOT that Europe would impose its standards, but basically that jobs will be lost because of it.

In general, trade agreements benefit both parties involved. Yet as I warned about trade talks in the past, ultimately, some of the deals will not be good for the United States of America nor the British (nor their Anglo-allies like Canada, Australia, or New Zealand).

Anyway, notice the following from Newsweek about the limited support for trade agreements by certain USA politicians:

May 12, 2015

One of President Barack Obama’s top policy priorities is on life support, and he has his own party to thank for it.

Democrats on Tuesday blocked a preliminary vote to grant the president the authority to negotiate trade deals without Congress amending them later. Under this trade promotion authority (TPA), the Hill would instead get an up or down vote on any deal. …

“Essentially, what the Democrats are doing today, by trying to block us even getting onto this legislation, is throwing their own president under the bus,” Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota told reporters before the vote. The final tally was 52 to 45, below the 60-vote threshold needed to begin debate on the bill.

Free trade is one agenda item where Obama has Republican support, an issue both sides can cite to underscore their bipartisan cooperation. The White House hoped there’d be a big enough coalition of pro-trade Republicans and Democrats to move ahead on TPA, the first step in considering one and perhaps two far-reaching multinational trade agreements before Obama’s second term ends.

The only good news for Obama is that the defeat was largely over procedural matters, leaving open the possibility that the vote could go the president’s way at a later date. …

Democrats wanted Senate Republicans to bring the fast track bill to a vote along with legislation providing so-called trade adjustment assistance—aid for those who lose their jobs because of trade. They also wanted to move legislation to promote trade with Africa and a bill to enforce customs laws, including currency manipulation. …

The trade question is part of the 2016 discussion, with dark horse Democratic hopefuls like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley lambasting the potential deal and pressing front-runner Hillary Clinton, who supported it during her time in the Obama administration. Clinton has taken a more wait-and-see approach since declaring her candidacy.

For the White House, the TPP is a key part of its long-running effort to “rebalance” American foreign policy toward Asia (which Clinton herself launched, in a 2011 Foreign Policy article written when she was secretary of state)—a policy that has been long on rhetoric but light on action. With doubts about American leadership and commitment already rising in the region, new domestic obstacles are bound to make foreign partners jumpy.

It also casts a shadow on a trade deal the United States is trying to reach with the European Union: the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP. Negotiations were launched in 2014; the ninth round of talks was just completed in April. http://www.newsweek.com/dems-whack-obama-trade-deal-331198

The Europeans are getting frustrated by how the USA is handling all of this.

Various European leaders have gone on record that Europe will not compromise its standards for TTIP. Notice something from a couple of days ago:

May 11, 2015

In a speech made to the European Association of Livestock Marts’ AGM in Athlone, EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said TTIP will not compromise on EU food quality or traceability standards.

In the course of discussing new export markets, Commissioner Hogan took the opportunity to reassure those present at the European Association of Livestock Marts’ AGM in Athlone on Saturday about the ongoing Transatlantic Trade and Partnership Investment (TTIP) talks with the United States.

He said he is “aware that this is the subject of continued debate and some concern among agri-food organisations throughout Europe, including the European Association of Livestock Marts.”

However, he said he wished to convey the message that a “balanced deal will see huge benefits for EU agriculture and society as a whole.”

The Commissioner said that while he would be “proactive in promoting the opening of this important market to high quality EU product,” he would not “compromise on EU food quality or traceability standards.

“I can assure you that this principle will be upheld across the Commission and will be fully reflected in our negotiations with the US,” he said.

“EU standards will not be sacrificed on the altar of this, or any other, trade deal,” he continued. “The increased protection of European geographical indications food products is one of our key priorities in the TTIP negotiations. In recent years, the EU has been very successful in obtaining increased protection for hundreds of its famous geographical indications. We are very confident that we will obtain a positive outcome in TTIP as well.” …

“We will be diligent in exploring and pursuing a TTIP outcome which delivers adequate protection for our beef producers while at the same time providing reasonable market access to US exporters. I also strongly encourage producers to avail of the increasing export opportunities available through already concluded trade agreements.” http://www.farmersjournal.ie/hogan-ttip-will-not-compromise-eu-food-quality-and-traceability-standards-180757/

Europe does NOT want USA GMOs (see GMOs and Bible Prophecy) nor excessive amounts of antibiotic tainted beef (watch Are Americans & Asians setting themselves up for destruction from antibiotic use?).

So, if Europe will not compromise and compromise must happen, does not that leave the USA as the one to compromise or no deal?

Of course, TTIP does not have to become law. The Europeans will end up with trade agreements via WHO or other ways irrespective of what the USA does. The Bible itself tells of a time when a European power will enrich the Gentile-world mightily and that this will involve trade (cf. Revelation 18).

Anyway, the Europeans and other nations are working on a broader, more international, trade agreements. BBC also reported the following about the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) that the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been working on:

May 13, 2015

There is a global trade negotiation under way in the World Trade Organization (WTO). It’s known as the Doha Round, because that is where it was launched – back in 2001.

It has been very slow. At the end of 2013 the WTO members finally agreed a part of that agenda. It’s called the Trade Facilitation Agreement and it’s about the mechanics of international commerce – customs procedures, for example. The really hard stuff is still not agreed. Trade Facilitation is sometimes called the Doha Round’s “low-hanging fruit”, yet it still took 12 years to pick. http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32691589

So, part of TFA is in effect, but more is planned. More, whether it is called TFA or not a change to international trade is coming.

Biblically, world trade agreements are expected. The Bible tells that many will become rich by the coming daughter of Babylon system, but that it will eventually end, and many will mourn:

11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’

19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’ (Revelation 18:11-19)

A massive trading system, also involving human trafficking is discussed in the Hebrew scriptures as well:

12 “Tarshish was your merchant because of your many luxury goods. They gave you silver, iron, tin, and lead for your goods. 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They bartered human lives and vessels of bronze for your merchandise. 14 Those from the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, steeds, and mules. 15 The men of Dedan were your traders; many isles were the market of your hand. They brought you ivory tusks and ebony as payment. 16 Syria was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made. They gave you for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidery, fine linen, corals, and rubies. (Ezekiel 27:12-16)

Human trafficking is again going to become ‘legal.’ Many will be shocked to learn that the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies are to be among those that will be bought and sold (see the article Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? and/or watch the video Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves?).

A world trading combine led by Europe is in the process of forming. Possible WTO and other agreements are helping to set the stage–but so are frustrations in Europe over how USA politicians are handling some of this.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
WTO/TTIP and the Babylonian Beast Will international trade agreements like WTO/TTIP/CETA lead to the fulfillment of end time prophecies concerning the Babylonian Beast power that the Book of Revelation warns against? What does the Bible teach? A related video would be WTO Trade Deal and the Rise of the European Beast Power.
GMOs and Bible Prophecy What are GMOs? Since they were not in the food supply until 1994, how could they possibly relate to Bible prophecy? Do GMOs put the USA and others at risk? Here is a related YouTube video GMO Risks and the Bible.
Chimeras: Has Science Crossed the Line? What are chimeras? Has science crossed the line? Does the Bible give any clues?
The Snowden Leaks are Leading to the Destruction of the USA Can what happened with the leaks of what the NSA has done help the USA to be taken over? What does the Bible teach that seems to be related to this? Here is a related YouTube video titled Are the Snowden NSA leaks leading to the destruction of the USA?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here are links to two sermon videos Germany in Bible Prophecy and The Rise of the Germanic Beast Power of Prophecy.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin?
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 188 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Hillary Clinton and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also discusses Republicans. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? $11.99.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version of the 188 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.