TTIP and CETA are trade deals in name only.
They would do little to lower trade tariffs between Europe and the USA/Canada for the simple reason that tariffs are low already.
What the deals would do is allow multinational corporations to take legal action against sovereign governments taking policy decisions to protect their citizens or deliver a fairer economy.
What might this look like?
Imagine a First Minister of Scotland who wanted to use the power of the parliament to deliver a Living Wage, prevent fracking or extend public ownership in a sector of the economy.
Anyone who heard Nicola Sturgeon or indeed Kezia Dugdale speaking at STUC Congress this week would not find that a difficult scenario to contemplate.
Imagine then that court proceedings were commenced, lasting years and costing millions, in which a multi-billion corporation sought to frustrate one of these policies because it affected their “right” to trade through delivering public services on the cheap or profiting from the despoliation of the environment.
Imagine then that the government called upon to defend this action was not from Holyrood, which passed the policy, but Westminster, which might very well oppose it.
Then consider one particular irony. If the case was lost, it would be the Scottish Government which paid the bill – fees, fines and all. This, in a nutshell, is the reason why all MSPs and the Scottish Government should sign the Scotland against TTIP pledge – to oppose TTIP, CETA and other trade agreements like them, if elected.
It is also the reason that I am disappointed that nearly all SNP candidates have yet to do so.
I understand that political parties are sometimes reluctant to be seen as “anti-trade”.
But TTIP and CETA are not about trade in the normal way we think of it.
I also understand that there might be a desire to negotiate TTIP into something better.
But the reforms which would be required would be so fundamental, as to contradict the very purpose of the deal the corporations desire.
The deal they want, we cannot accept.
Our day of action tomorrow is designed to drive this message home.
We know that SNP members and representatives are deeply alarmed by TTIP/CETA. How could they not be? We know that politicians and parties from across Europe, with which SNP members would sympathise, have joined the massive international movement opposing the deals.
It would be deeply ironic if the policies of a future SNP government were frustrated, not by Westminster, not in Europe, but by a bunch of unaccountable billionaires from anywhere across the globe.
Dave Moxham is Deputy General Secretary of the STUC
Trade unions and charities fight lead national day of action against TTIP
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here