free trade protest
Free Trade Protest
Vocabulary
| gather | express | protester |
| zone | right (3) | chairwoman |
| allow | support | genetically modified food |
| lobby | alliance | take a back seat |
| defend | assault | public (2) |
| fire up | surround | consumer |
| oppose | deal (2) | negotiation |
| access | draft (3) | member of parliament |
| aide | skeptical | demonstrate |
| hope | secrecy | opponent |
| debate | schedule | trade-fair |
| benefit | proposal | secure (2) |
Video
Transcript
Protesters had a clear message for politicians gathering in Hanover: No to TTIP, and No to free-trade between Europe and the USA.
Opponents of the free-trade zone deal say it could weaken laws protecting EU consumers and allow genetically modified food onto European tables.
Protester One: “This deal only benefits lobby groups and big businesses. Normal consumers and public services take a back seat.”
Protester Two: “I have always been opposed to this deal. It’s an assault on our democracy, and we have to defend our rights.”
Critics also don’t like the secrecy that they say is surrounding the negotiation process.
Simone Peter, Co-Chairperson, German Alliance ’90/The Greens: “We didn’t have a chance to read the drafts of the deal. Members of Parliament have access to the drafts now; but they can’t even let their aides look at them.”
Demonstrators hope their protests will fire up public debate about the deal, ahead of President Barrack Obama’s visit to Germany. He’s scheduled to attend the world’s largest trade-fair in Hanover with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday.
Both leaders expressed their support for the trade deal on Sunday. Obama said the deal will help secure jobs in both the US and the EU.
But many Germans remain skeptical about the proposal: one in three Germans is opposed to TTIP.
Questions
1. The protesters in Hanover support TTIP and free-trade. True or false?
2. What are three reasons why they oppose TTIP? Why are they against TTIP?
3. Everyone, according to the protesters, will lose out on free-trade. Is this right or wrong?
4. Are journalists allowed to cover the negotiations, details and agreements?
5. Do the US president and German chancellor sympathize with the demonstrators? How do they view TTIP?
6. Germans believe everything the politicians say. Yes or no?
A. Does your country have free trade with other countries? If yes, which ones?
B. Would free trade be good for the economy?
C. Working class people favor free trade. What do you think?
D. Would you and, or your organization benefit from free trade?
E. What may happen in the future?
