TTIP Promoted at Hannover MESSE Opening Ceremony

The United States is the selected partner for the 2016 Hannover MESSE trade fair.

The United States is the selected partner for the 2016 Hannover MESSE trade fair.

Contrary to what the protestors in downtown Hannover wanted, President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel used their opening-ceremony speaches to promote the TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) agreement. Both emphasized the value it would deliver to U.S. and European Union economies in terms of jobs, economic growth, and energy stabililty. Apparently opposition concern is rather widespread and persistent because both leaders also urged manufacturers and others to promote TTIP’s benefits to their various companies. They stated rather emphatically that there is significant pressure to finalize the agreement this year. Obama suggested that, if TTIP isn’t finalized in 2016, political changes could cause it to languish for a long time.

President Obama was also put in the awkward position of having to encourage attendees to come to the U.S. to do business. He realized how strange it was to be a guest of a fellow industrial power and ally and ask people to “Select America,” but he handled it well, made his sales pitch, and moved on. I’m sure it wasn’t his favorite part of the speach.

As the partner country, the U.S. was afforded the opportunity to provide all of the entertainment for the cermony. New York City provided two dance songs and two performances from stars of the musical “Wicked.” I was disappointed that there wasn’t an entertainment offering from Germany.

The opening sequence was an impressive choreography between robots and dancers. It was fascinating to see how flexible/manipulative/responsive robots have become. However, I had to chuckle a bit after that impressive display when two stage hands hand-carried the speaker podium to its position on the stage. They later carried it away to make room for the NYC performances, then brought it back for President Obama and Chancellor Merkel. It seemed such a clunky way to handle a part of the opening ceremony for a show that offers the most advanced in technology. In the interest of putting things in a positive light, I’m going to give them credit for using the opportunity to show that, no matter the degree of automation, the job can’t be completed without humans.

Overall, an enjoyable ceremony and strong kickoff to a week of showcasing the latest and greatest industry has to offer.–Gary L. Parr, editorial director