The pros and cons of transatlantic free trade

U.S. and European Union officials wrap-up the latest round of talks today as they negotiate a free trade deal called the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

Boosters like Fran Burwell with the Atlantic Council see an economic upside for the U.S. economy.

“Every state gains in terms of its exports to the EU. There will be about 740,000 new jobs created in the United States over 10 years,” says Burwell.

Environmental activists like Michelle Chan with Friends of the Earth see a potential downside.

Chan says, “This transatlantic trade deal will really focus on deregulation. With the idea being that environmental and public health protections themselves can be construed as barriers to trade.”