The American ambassador to the Netherlands has urged small business leaders to support the TTIP trade agreement between the US and EU, saying criticism is based on unfounded fears about ‘big US corporations’.

Speaking to members of the Amsterdam American Business Club, Timothy Broas said that criticism of the treaty is growing across the Netherlands and Europe but that TTIP will benefit small firms in particular by removing trade barriers.

There will be no impact on labour laws or environmental and consumer standards, Broas said, and urged small business owners to highlight the benefits of TTIP to colleagues.

‘It is time we got this deal done,’ the ambassador said.

Criticism of the deal has been mounting in the Netherlands with Labour MPs and MEPs saying earlier this month they will vote against it unless it is significantly altered.

In particular, Labour MPs say they cannot support the clause allowing foreign companies to make claims if they feel their interests are being hurt by national governments.