Ukraine crisis gives new impetus to EU-U.S. trade talks, U.S. says

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Russia's annexation of Crimea underlines the need for the United States and the European Union to substantially deepen their economic ties, Washington's top trade official said on Saturday, opening the door to U.S. exports of natural gas to Europe.

Days before U.S. President Barack Obama and EU officials hold a summit in Brussels, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said the rationale "could never be stronger" for a U.S.-EU free-trade pact, despite growing public hostility to it.

"Right now as we look around the world, there is a powerful reason for Europe and the United States to come together to demonstrate that they can take their relationship to a new level," Froman told reporters.

"Recent developments just underscore the importance of the transatlantic relationship. "From both a strategic and economic perspective, the rationale for the T-TIP could never be stronger," he said, referring to the proposed accord's official name, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/03/22/uk-ukraine-crisis-usa-trade-idUKBREA2L0AA20140322

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U.S.-EU free-trade pact ? Washington's top trade official can fuck off.

[reformist2]

1. When you look at foreign policy as ultimately driven by big business, it all starts to makes sense.

[newthinking]

5. Yep, austerity. Elderly already barely survived and pensions will be halved

And that is just the start of it. They are already cutting wages for government employees.
Of course the news won't mention this but there is already a ton of resistance and "buyer's remorse". There is no way the current government is going to survive and it appears that what will happen in ukraine will make Greece look like times a plenty.

What an awful situation for the people in Ukraine, most who were too busy working and surviving to take sides during Maidan.

[ctsnowman]

2. "U.S. exports of natural gas to Europe."

So much for "100 years" of energy independence. We will take Canada's pipe and spoil our water supply all in the name of greed for the top 10%.

[dipsydoodle]

4. Wouldn't worry about it

In the absence of a trans Atlantic pipeline shipping to Europe would be impractical.

[pangaia]

3. SHOCK DOCTRINE at its finest. (or worst, depending on one's viewpoint)

[jsr]

6. Vote for TTIP/TPP now, or the half-naked guy wins