Lew Resolute On Excluding Financial Rules From TTIP, Citing Potential For Weakening Standards

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew late last week left no doubt that he opposes including financial services regulations in the scope of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) initiative, citing what he said is a tendency for trade negotiations to lower the amount of protection provided by established regulations. “The question is . . . whether it’s a question of financial regulation or environmental regulation or labor rules, is a trade agreement the appropriate place to [address these issues]?” Lew...