EU and USA: how to build a positive agenda
European business proposal to enhance trade and economic cooperation
Today, BusinessEurope published its proposal on how to re-build a positive agenda for transatlantic relations. The proposal has been prepared by BusinessEurope and its member federations from 35 European countries, speaking on behalf of more than 20 million companies throughout Europe.
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: "It’s a challenging day for transatlantic relations with the decision of the European Court of Justice to invalidate the Privacy Shield. We must ensure that data continues to flow safely across the Atlantic.
Today it is even more important for Europe and the USA to lay the foundation for a renewed and even stronger relationship. Having a formal, high-level platform for strategic dialogue on trade and economic cooperation, spanning across changing US administrations and EU institutional cycles. We have similar platforms with other partners, like China and Japan and it is simply striking that we do not have one with our most important partner, the United States, while transatlantic frictions are unfortunately rising.
We should also strengthen the cooperation between Brussels and Washington on multilateral problems, as the EU and the USA are similarly concerned about global trade distortions, increasing overcapacities, forced technology transfers and the increasing role of State-Owned Enterprises. It is only natural that we step up transatlantic collaboration to define new rules that are up to speed with today’s trade reality, for example in sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals and cars to digital technologies, artificial intelligence, cyber-security and smart textiles.
We should start with a sequential approach to the negotiations, focusing first on the conclusion of an agreement that eliminates or reduces tariffs on all industrial goods. If we are successful, we could explore later what can be done on services, digital trade and other components such as agricultural tariffs, public procurement and investment”, Beyrer said.
Please see the full text of the proposal here. The text was today presented at a transatlantic video press conference to journalists from the EU and the USA.