US ambassador Matthew Barzun defends TTIP deal in Cardiff

Wales will benefit if a controversial trade agreement between Europe and the United States gets the go-ahead, according to the US ambassador.

On a visit to Cardiff, Matthew Barzun said it was a "big deal" with "big ambitions" that would create jobs.

Critics of the proposed TTIP deal, claim it will open up the NHS and public services to more privatisation.

But Mr Barzun said there was nothing in the deal to stop governments running their health services how they wanted.

He said the controversy surrounding the plans was not surprising given the scale of what was being considered.

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is supposed to break down barriers including tariffs and regulations between the EU and the US.

Supporters argue that it will reduce the cost of goods for consumers, including clothes, cars, and food as well as creating jobs.

The UK government has said it could be worth £1.5bn to the Welsh economy.

Trade to the US is particularly important to Wales.

It is the top foreign destination for Welsh goods and exports to the US have increased by 400% since 1999.

Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to put "rocket boosters" behind negotiations on TTIP, arguing that it's central to his vision of a reformed Europe.

Business groups including the CBI and the FSB support the deal.

Critics of TTIP, including trade unions and some charities, warned it puts jobs at risk.

They also claim efforts to introduce common regulations will mean the EU adopting more relaxed US rules in areas like safety standards, food production and consumer rights.

Ambassador Barzun said standards were high on both sides of the Atlantic and American regulations were trusted by Welsh tourists when they visit the USA.

TTIP has also been accused of threatening the power of national governments to run their health sectors and other public services in their own way.

Trade unions believe the NHS could be forced towards greater privatisation with heavy penalties if any government tries to change that.

The ambassador denied that was part of TTIP.