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"I
am far from certain that there will be an agreement in the end,"
Gabriel told the German Book Sellers Broker's Association in
Berlin. "It may well be that in the end it fails."
The downbeat comments from Gabriel, who faces dissent within his
Social Democrats (SPD) over the so-called Trans Atlantic Trade
and Investment Partnership (TTIP), come at a time when it is
facing new hurdles.
Negotiators had hoped to conclude a deal by the end of 2014, but
talks have all but stalled and the European Parliament is so
split on the subject it cannot even agree to debate the deal.
Proponents argue that a pact will create a market of 800 million
people and ensure Europe and the United States can continue to
set the standards of world trade at a time when China and other
countries are increasing their economic clout.
But German public support has fallen sharply over the past year,
according to an opinion poll, with a growing number of Germans
believing the deal will weaken food safety and environmental
standards.
Moreover, opposition has broadened beyond the traditional
environmental and anti-globalization groups.
Last week, the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB) added its
voice to the deal's critics, while the BVMW Mittelstand
association -- which represents small-and medium-sized companies
-- is also skeptical of the pact in its current form.
Chancellor Angela Merkel remains strongly in favor of the accord
and said on Thursday that Berlin still aimed to agree on a
political framework for the deal by the end of this year.
But that timeline is looking increasingly shaky.
The United States has prioritized a 12-nation trans-Pacific
trade deal. U.S. President Barack Obama won a reprieve on
Thursday when the U.S. House of Representatives reversed course
and approved "fast track" legislation seen as central to the
Pacific Rim pact.
(Reporting by Gernot Heller; Writing by Caroline Copley; Editing
by Noah Barkin)
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