Deal in the dark

Published in Cicero, 9.2018

In late 2018, the European Union and Japan concluded the largest free trade agreement in the world. In times of rising protectionism and nationalism, negotiators praised this quick settlement of terms as a signal for openness and a symbol of progress. In fact, the deal could incur significant damages in the long run. The uneven representation of interest groups and the high level of secrecy throughout the negotiations will serve as blueprints for future trade agreements, which in turn would not do a favour to democracy. This is an analysis of a hastily and secretly negotiated deal that looks better than it is.

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© KARSTEN PETRAT

© KARSTEN PETRAT

In late 2018, the European Union and Japan concluded the largest free trade agreement in the world. In times of rising protectionism and nationalism, negotiators praised this quick settlement of terms as a signal for openness and a symbol of progress. In fact, the deal could incur significant damages in the long run. The uneven representation of interest groups and the high level of secrecy throughout the negotiations will serve as blueprints for future trade agreements, which in turn would not do a favour to democracy. This is an analysis of a hastily and secretly negotiated deal that looks better than it is.

Read it as published in: