EU-US TRADE: EUROPEAN BUSINESS CALLS FOR AMBITION AND PACE AHEAD OF TALKS NEXT WEEK

Ahead of the EU-US trade talks to take place in Washington DC on February 17/18, BUSINESSEUROPE Director General, Markus J. Beyrer, today urged progress towards a comprehensive deal in an ambitious timeframe:

“BUSINESSEUROPE sees the negotiation and conclusion of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) as a top priority. Businesses on both sides of the Atlantic want a comprehensive deal without carve-outs and exceptions because this will most benefit companies and consumers. We also want to see negotiators maintain pace in these talks. What is agreed in Washington DC next week is therefore critical to the success of this process.”

BUSINESSEUROPE noted that EU Commissioner Karel De Gucht and US Trade Representative Mike Froman have an important role to play in determining the scope of TTIP. The stock taking exercise in which they will both engage next week will be important in determining the extent of a possible deal. European companies are keen to see progress in a whole range of areas that will make transatlantic commerce more straightforward. These include regulatory cooperation, public procurement, financial services, investment, customs and tariffs.