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4/12/15

TTIP: German economy minister plays down boost from EU-U.S. trade deal: magazine

Germany's economy minister warned on Saturday against overblowi expectations for an economic boost from a trade deal between the United States and European Union but said the pact was needed to set high common standards for consumers.

The European Commission is trying to finalize a deal on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), which some experts say could generate $100 billion a year in additional economic output on both sides of the Atlantic.

It would eliminate all tariff barriers between the United States and EU members, which together account for almost half the global economy.

"I don't believe in the wondrous calculations for economic growth from (the trade deal) TTIP," said Sigmar Gabriel, also chairman of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) which shares power with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives.

"All the estimates about its impact ... give an impression of voodoo economics," Gabriel told Focus weekly

 Read more: German economy minister plays down boost from EU-U.S. trade deal: magazine | Reuters

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