The article entitled Trading Places concerning the US-EU transatlantic free trade agreement, omitted to mention the huge democratic implications of this agreement.

Ordinary people will experience the ‘reduction in trade barriers’ and ‘regulatory harmonisation’ as a reduction of protections in a range of areas, including in the environmental and labour spheres. Correspondingly, ‘corporate rights’ will be strengthened.

In addition, despite opposition from civil society, our government intends to include the NHS in the agreement – turning it from a universal, free at-point-of-use service into a transatlantic investment opportunity. It is a disgrace that the agreement has so far attracted little critical media attention.

Melanie Strickland, solicitor, London E2

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