![German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel makes a speech during a session of Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, July 17, 2015. German lawmakers are expected to give the government their clear backing on Friday to start negotiations on a third bailout programme for Greece, despite Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble questioning whether it will succeed. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt (Newscom TagID: rtrlseven187882.jpg) [Photo via Newscom]](https://hamodia.com/hamod-uploads/2015/07/Germany-1024x690.jpg)
Germany’s economy minister says free trade talks between the European Union and the United States have failed.
Negotiations on the so-called Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP, have made little progress in recent years.
Sigmar Gabriel, who is also Germany’s Vice Chancellor, said Sunday that “in my opinion the negotiations with the United States have de facto failed, even though nobody is really admitting it.”
He noted that in 14 rounds of talks the two sides haven’t agreed on a single common chapter out of 27 chapters being discussed.
Gabriel compared the TTIP negotiations unfavorably with a free trade deal forged between the EU and Canada, which he said was fairer for all sides.