Trade MEPs in Washington, DC, to discuss EU-US trade relations
A delegation of trade MEPs will meet their American counterparts in Congress and US trade officials on a four-day visit to urge easing of current EU-US trade tensions.
The seven-member delegation, led by Bernd Lange (S&D, DE), the chairman of the Committee on International Trade, is in Washington, DC between 24-27 February, 2020. The first trade delegation to the US of the current legislature, and also since 2013, the trade MEPs expect to discuss about possible positive developments in trade relations between the EU and its largest trade partner. MEPs will argue for common solutions to common problems with the US.
Members of the delegation:
Bernd Lange (S&D, DE), chairman of the Committee on International Trade, head of delegation
Danuta Hübner (EPP, PL)
Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou (EPP, EL)
Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (S&D, FI)
Liesje Schreinemacher (RE, NL)
Reinhard Bütikofer (Greens/EFA, DE)
Geert Bourgeois (ECR, BE)
The MEPs are set to meet officials at the office of the United States Trade Representative, including Deputy US Trade Representative Jeff Gerrish, and members of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Subcommittee on Trade.
They will also meet officials of the Department of State, Treasury and Commerce, business organisations, environmental organisations, civil society, trade unions and think tanks.
Bernd Lange (S&D, DE)
“The delegation will meet a wide range of stakeholders, from Congressmen through environmental organizations to business, as a demonstration that our relationship with the United States extends beyond that with the current US administration. We are in Washington with one common message: only dialogue and partnership between the US and Europe can help us face current global trade challenges, such as WTO reform. We will not be bullied by ever more tariffs, but we are ready to look carefully at issues the US brings to the negotiation table.”
Press conference
For correspondents in Washington, Chairman Lange is going to hold an on-the-record press conference on EU-US trade relations at the EU Delegation to the United States Building, 2175 K Street NW, on Thursday, 27 February, 12.00-12.30pm (no webstreaming available).
Background
The US is the largest trade partner of the EU. Trade relations, however, are riveted with tensions after the US levied tariffs on steel and aluminium, and as it threatens the EU with car tariffs. While the US blocks dispute settlement in the WTO, it has levied tariffs on a wide range of European products, including in the agri-food sector, following a WTO decision in the Airbus/Boeing dispute. Trade talks have been stalled over disagreements on scope.