The Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) is a plurilateral agreement currently being negotiated among a group of countries including the United States, the European Union, and 22 other member countries. TISA aims to liberalize trade in services among its member countries by removing regulatory barriers.
The negotiations on the TISA began in 2013 and have been shrouded in secrecy, with details of the agreement being kept away from the public eye. However, leaked documents have revealed that the agreement seeks to deregulate sectors such as healthcare, finance, telecommunications, and e-commerce, among others.
The TISA member countries represent a significant portion of the global economy, accounting for more than two-thirds of all global trade in services. The member countries include Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United States.
The TISA negotiations have been controversial, with critics arguing that the agreement will be detrimental to public services and workers` rights. Opponents of the TISA say that the agreement will lead to a race to the bottom in terms of wages and working conditions as countries compete to attract investment. They also argue that the agreement will give multinational corporations too much power over governments, making it difficult for countries to regulate their own economies.
However, supporters of the TISA say that the agreement will lead to increased competition and innovation, creating more jobs and economic growth. They also argue that the agreement will improve access to services and lower costs for consumers.
In conclusion, the Trade in Services Agreement is an agreement being negotiated among a group of countries aimed at liberalizing trade in services. The TISA member countries represent a significant portion of the global economy and are currently negotiating the agreement in secrecy. The TISA negotiations have been controversial, with critics arguing that the agreement will be detrimental to public services and workers` rights, while supporters argue that it will lead to increased competition and innovation.