The Promise of Transparency: Stakeholder Views on Changes to the EU Trade Negotiation Process

Significant public outcry erupted during negotiations between the European Union and the United States on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Stakeholders argued the negotiations lacked transparency, hence legitimacy, noting the disjuncture between the opaque nature of previous-era negotiations and the potential impact of “new era” trade deals on the domain of public policy. In response, the EU Commission significantly increased the transparency of their trade negotiation processes. Using 43 interviews, authors assess stakeholders’ views on the extent to which these measures met their concerns. The EU Commission has institutionalized these measures into its bilateral negotiations, significantly increasing their transparency