For several months, the United States (US) has been a COVID-19 hotspot. This week, Western Europe surpassed the US in new daily infections, re-emerging as a hotspot. The European Commission shuffled some portfolios this week, after former European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan’s resignation. Meanwhile, talks between the EU and the United Kingdom (UK) … Continue Reading
On September 1, the Office of the US Trade Representative, working with the Departments of Commerce (DOC) and of Agriculture (USDA), announced a number of actions aimed at supporting domestic producers of seasonal/perishable produce. Their plans – which include new trade actions targeting certain fruit and vegetable imports – could have widespread impacts on produce … Continue Reading
Over the past two weeks, the European Union (EU) saw the resignation of its EU Trade Commissioner, increased tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, and several EU countries received a high-level Chinese delegation. The United States (US) and EU also achieved a tariff reducing deal on American lobsters and other products. Meanwhile, transatlantic attention remains focused … Continue Reading
Recently, transatlantic attention has focused on Belarus after irregularities were noted with its presidential election on 9 August that resulted in protests in that nation. Meanwhile, talks between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) also resumed this week, continuing to seek a path forward for the UK’s future trade arrangements with the … Continue Reading
On Tuesday, August 11, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced that he has selected Senator Kamala Devi Harris (D-California) as his vice presidential running mate. Since joining the U.S. Congress in 2017, Harris has in some instances served as a bridge between progressive and moderate Democratic positions and policies. However, Harris is typically characterized … Continue Reading
On Wednesday, 29 July, the European Union (EU) and China convened its 8th High Level Trade and Economic Dialogue to discuss economic and trade issues, apart from addressing COVID-19. With more citizens travelling and visiting beaches in Europe and in the United States (US), COVID-19 cases continue to spike. This report also touches on the … Continue Reading
Pressure is mounting on Republican and Democratic negotiators in the US Capitol to reach an agreement on a COVID-19 response package that can pass both chambers of a divided Congress and be signed into law by President Donald Trump in the coming days. But evidence persists that the March 27 enactment of the massive CARES … Continue Reading
Bipartisan talks in Washington continue with the aim of producing a significant COVID-19 response and economic “stimulus” measure that can be signed into law by President Donald Trump this summer. Republicans and Democrats remain far apart in the negotiations, according to sources on both sides of the talks. But discussions continue as pressure mounts on … Continue Reading
Talks among party leaders in Washington about a future COVID-19 relief package are at an impasse, with Democrats still adamant about enacting legislation that injects trillions of additional dollars into the American economy, and Republicans seemingly trying to run out the clock in hopes Democrats will consent to passing a “skinny” deal that temporarily addresses … Continue Reading
Bipartisan negotiations aimed at producing the next major federal COVID-19 response legislation – delayed by more than a week of infighting between congressional Republicans and the White House – are finally underway. The baseline for the talks: HEROES vs. HEALS, pitting the US$3.5 trillion HEROES Act passed by the US House of Representatives in May … Continue Reading
This past week, Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZenca announced positive news on the coronavirus vaccine front, welcoming news particularly as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the United States and other parts of the world. The United States’ (US) Operation Warp Speed announced another agreement that would provide $1.95 billion for the production and nationwide delivery of … Continue Reading
The enhanced unemployment benefits created by the March 27 CARES Act are set to expire in eight days. The US Congress will need more time than that to determine a path to passage of the next major bipartisan pandemic response legislation – assuming Republicans and Democrats in Washington are able to eventually reach agreement on … Continue Reading
The US Congress has returned to Washington, DC, and bipartisan negotiations to produce the next significant federal coronavirus response legislation have officially begun. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, representing President Donald Trump, are scheduled to meet this afternoon on Capitol Hill with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and … Continue Reading
The European Union’s (EU) Foreign Affairs Council met this past week and focused on concerns with respect to the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya and Hong Kong. This week’s report provides a readout of some of these discussions, as well as the United States’ (US) perspective on the Eastern Mediterranean region and Libya. The United Kingdom (UK) … Continue Reading
Coronavirus cases in the US are surging. States are closing bars and restaurants. States, local governments, schools and private enterprises are calling upon the federal government for aid, and the US Congress is preparing to craft bipartisan emergency legislation of US$1 trillion or more. It’s March 2020 all over again – only this time, legislators … Continue Reading
The United Kingdom (UK) unveiled its new human rights sanctions regime this past week, along with its first designations. The United States (US) welcomed the action, and some US lawmakers continue to urge the European Union (EU) to adopt a similar regime. Meanwhile, the EU moved forward with its trade policy review, with some seeking … Continue Reading
After months on hold responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 US elections are heating up, as Democrats seek to take control of the White House from President Donald Trump. On Thursday, July 9, former Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden released a broad economic plan during a speech in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. … Continue Reading
The House and Senate will not return to Washington until July 20, but discussions among the “four corners” in the US Congress are underway with the intent of crafting a bipartisan COVID-19 relief measure that can be signed into law by President Donald Trump by the end of July. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and … Continue Reading
The European Union (EU) has begun lifting some restrictions on non-EU travelers to the bloc, approving non-binding recommendations for member states. The United States (US), which has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases, is not among the list of countries whose citizens are permitted to travel to the EU. The United Kingdom (UK) also released … Continue Reading
An extension of the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) authored by a Democratic member of the US Senate is on its way to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed into law. The US House of Representatives has approved a US$1.5 trillion national infrastructure bill loaded with Democratic priorities for climate change, clean energy … Continue Reading
Senate Republican leaders have begun to lift the veil on their plans for the next coronavirus response package, acknowledging in a news conference Tuesday that they will support opening the coffers next month to provide another round of aid. The timetable set by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and other Senate GOP leaders means … Continue Reading
Congress is facing renewed pressure to provide hundreds of billions of dollars in “stimulus” money to states, territories, counties and municipalities and to allow such entities the option of using the money to offset revenue lost as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Democratic-controlled US House of Representatives has begun floor consideration of a … Continue Reading
American officials continue to raise concerns with China’s perceived long-term goals, which they believe may undermine multilateral institutions, national security and sovereign interests, and democratic principles in general. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified existing concerns with China, and it may serve as the catalyst for further transatlantic cooperation aimed at responding to some of China’s … Continue Reading
COVID-19 is making a comeback in America this summer, complicating President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign and governors’ plans to reopen their economies. A wave of new hospitalizations around the country is threatening to dampen hopes for a quick economic recovery in the wake of this spring’s pandemic-related lockdown, giving new urgency to discussions among federal … Continue Reading
