Trade Committee Chair welcomes TTC outcomes, misses trade results: statement
Chair Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany) made the following statement today after the conclusion of the meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council in Washington, DC.
“The third Trade and Technology Council (TTC) has produced some concrete outcomes, such as the roadmap on trustworthy AI, which confirms our intention to set global standards for emerging technologies jointly. As there are very different views on AI globally, it is crucial for the EU and the US to spell out clearly that all AI should be fully in line with human rights and democratic principles.
I am also very pleased that the EU and the US will be working together in Kenya and Jamaica on internet connectivity projects. Such endeavours will make a difference for people on the ground and set an important precedent: we are able to join forces in an area where we usually compete.
The early warning system to address semiconductor supply chain disruptions can really make a difference in real life. We have also made steady progress on a prototype charging standard for heavy-duty vehicles. By setting a global standard, we will expand the market for such chargers, which positively impacts firms on both sides of the Atlantic.
The TTC-related new Trade and Labour Dialogue with EU and US principles also met for the first time and discussed, among others, how we can cooperate more closely to combat forced labour, a persistent problem we can only tackle together.
At the same, the directly trade-related results from this third meeting are somewhat limited. I would have liked to see a joint approach on WTO reform, but it seems the US is not ready to put concrete ideas on the table yet. Given the context, limited outcomes concerning trade are not so surprising: the US has been increasingly opting for managed trade, an approach the EU does not take. More ambition on the trade front would be welcome.
However, we should not underestimate the importance of the TTC as a channel for dialogue. This is already a value in itself.”
Background
The EU-US Trade and Technology Council was set up in June 2021 to strengthen cooperation between the EU and the United States in trade, technology and standards, based on shared democratic values. Its work is done via ten working groups including on technology standards, global trade challenges, climate and green tech, supply chains and data governance.
Parliament called for stronger EU-US partnership in the TTC in a resolution in October 2021.
Further information:
Office of Mr Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany), Chair of the Committee on International Trade, email: bernd.lange@europarl.europa.eu tel: +32 228 45 555