Current Models of Investor State Dispute Settlement Are Bad for Health: The European Union Could Offer an Alternative Comment on "The Trans-Pacific Partnership: Is It Everything We Feared for Health?"

Martin Mckee,David Stuckler

doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2016.116

Abstract

In this commentary, we endorse concerns about the health impact of the trans-pacific partnership (TPP), paying particular attention to its mechanisms for investor state dispute settlement. We then describe the different, judge-led approach being advocated by the European Commission team negotiating the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, arguing that, while not perfect, it offers significant advantages.

Highlights

Another, which has attracted widespread attention, is the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). This seeks to reduce barriers to trade between the United States and the European Union (EU) and has many features that are similar to the transpacific partnership (TPP)
Unlike the traditional approach to ISDS, in which decisions are made by arbitrators, the EU is insisting that the process should be overseen by publicly appointed, legally qualified judges
At all clear whether these will be acceptable to the United States and, as a number of European governments and the European Parliament have made clear that these are lines in the sand, it is far from certain that the TTIP will ever be ratified

Summary

Introduction

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Results

Conclusion