Speaking at a debate in the UK, EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem, in whose portfolio falls also the negotiated TTIP agreement, stated that the transatlantic free trade deal will not threaten health services. She said that USA routinely refuse to include public services into trade agreements and that this time is no exception. Fears of TTIP´s influence on welfare services are prominent among the arguments of those who oppose the trade deal. Further on, the debate turned to the subject of ISDS. Malmstroem pointed out that there are currently no talks on this chapter, as EU froze these. In the meantime, officials are working on an acceptable ISDS mechanism which would provide safeguards for private enterprises and assuage the fears of the opponents who fear the abuse of the tool. Throughout the discussion, the British Trade Minister sided with Commissioner Malmstroem, supporting her statements, but tweeting that it is “important to keep on engaging” with the public.

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