On 4 October, VPRO Tegenlicht will screen an episode on TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership). A hugely controversial subject throughout the transatlantic trade and investment partnership talks is ISDS, which has been met with fierce opposition from national governments, MEPs and civil society. With an ISDS system in place, corporations would be able to challenge governments in a private trade tribunal. There are concerns that such a system would give companies excessive power over national authorities and allow them to sue governments every time legislation is introduced that might harm their profits.
To understand the possible consequences of such a system VPRO Tegenlicht goes to Canada in this upcoming episode, which is one of the most sued countries in the world after it had concluded a trade agreement with the U.S.