The past two weeks saw the conclusion of the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summits in Germany and Spain, respectively. The G7 Leaders’ issued a Communique affirming continued solidarity with Ukraine. Aligning with the G7, the United States (US) started its domestic process to impose tariffs on a number … Continue Reading
With the mid-term elections approaching (November) in the United States (US), the White House and those Members of Congress up for re-election (the full House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate) continue to focus domestic matters of concern for American voters – namely the US economy, high gas prices, and an inflation rate that … Continue Reading
The United Kingdom (UK) celebrated Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of her reign. The United States (US) hosted the Summit of the Americas, unveiling another economic framework initiative, with this one focused on countries in the Western Hemisphere. In the European Union (EU), the European Parliament … Continue Reading
At the end of the month, the European Union (EU) finally reached a deal – after weeks of negotiations – on an oil ban against Russian sourced oil and petroleum products. In mid-May, the United States (US) and EU concluded their second US-EU Trade and Technology Council ministerial meeting. Meanwhile, absent a free trade agreement … Continue Reading
More countries joined the United States (US) this past week in calling for Russia’s “most-favored nation” status to be revoked at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The European Union (EU) approved a fourth tranche of sanctions against Russia, as the bloc prepares yet another potential round of sanctions. Furthermore, the United Kingdom (UK) designated an … Continue Reading
Transatlantic partners continue to ratchet pressure this week on the Kremlin responsive to the Russian Federation’s continued conflict with Ukraine. The United States announced its immediate ban on Russian oil and gas exports (and seafood and alcohol products); the United Kingdom (UK) Government stated it would phase out Russian energy by the end of the … Continue Reading
In the early hours of 22 February, at the direction of the Kremlin, Russian Federation military forces crossed Ukraine’s borders from multiple fronts, beginning an assault that appears to be an effort to seize control of the country via the capital, Kyiv. Western allies – the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and European Union … Continue Reading
The United States (US) Government continues to warn of an imminent Russian attack on Ukraine. While diplomacy remains the preferred option, US intelligence suggests Russia’s military is poised to roll into Ukraine from multiple fronts. Officials from the United Kingdom (UK), the US and European Union (EU) engaged Russian counterparts this week, seeking a diplomatic … Continue Reading
While the situation between Russia and Ukraine remains a focus for transatlantic trade partners, the rhetoric this week appears to have been pared back. Nevertheless, a group of Senators in the United States (US) may soon have an agreement on a sanctions bill to address Russia’s aggression. Sanctions legislation was introduced on 31 January in … Continue Reading
The United States (US) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) submitted their responses to Russia’s security demands this past week, which the Russian Foreign Minister indicated gave hope of a dialogue on secondary questions, not the fundamental issues. With the White House suggesting Russia could re-invade Ukraine in February, media reports reflect Ukraine’s President has … Continue Reading
Russia and Ukraine remain a focus for officials from the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US), with the US Secretary of State dispatched to Europe this past week. Notably, a bipartisan US Senate delegation visited Ukraine this week, with one Senator suggesting the US Government is vetting potential effects … Continue Reading
Amid increased tension between the Russian Federation (Russia) and Ukraine, diplomatic talks between the United States (US), European countries, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Russia concluded this week, with US officials saying they are taking stock of the discussions, while Russian officials indicated talks were a “dead end.” These past few weeks and … Continue Reading
Officials from the United States (US) spent this past week preparing for this coming week’s diplomatic talks with their counterparts from the Russian Federation, amid tension over Russia’s military build-up at Ukraine’s border and unrest in Kazakhstan that saw Russian paratroopers deployed at the behest of the Kazakh government. European and US officials will be … Continue Reading
Transatlantic partners are closely tracking the Russian Federation’s (“Russia”) military build-up at Ukraine’s border, continuing to issue warnings against a possible incursion. Officials from the United States (US, or USA) briefed the media on the situation on Thursday, just ahead of the US Christmas holiday break. The US Government also released its annual report on … Continue Reading
Russia’s military build-up at Ukraine’s border continues to dominate the attention of transatlantic partners, with officials from the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU) continuing to warn Russia to de-escalate the situation. In America, the US Congress wrapped up its legislative work for 2021, with Democrats not quite getting … Continue Reading
This past week, the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) started outlining its agenda for 2022, with a focus on digital trade, among other priorities, in the broader framework of establishing a “network of liberty.” The latter point overlaps with the Government of the United States of America (US, or USA), which hosted a virtual … Continue Reading
The past two weeks saw the emergence of a new coronavirus variant – designated “Omicron” – that was first noted by officials in South Africa, who quickly reported it globally. While countries around the world – including the United States of America (US or USA) – restricted travel to and from nations in southern Africa, … Continue Reading
Officials from the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK) and United States (US) participated in the final week of the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Scotland. The Summit concluded with the publication of the Glasgow Climate Pact, which maintains the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to … Continue Reading
The United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU) and the United States (US) focused this past week on climate change and global supply chain disruptions, with the UK hosting the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which continues into this week. Transatlantic leaders started the week in Rome, attending the Group … Continue Reading
Officials from the United States (US) were in Europe this week, discussing trade matters, including the Section 232 aluminum and steel dispute. The US Department of the Treasury formally announced an agreement had been reached with some European countries that have enacted unilateral digital services taxes (DSTs). Also this week, the European Commission adopted its … Continue Reading
The President of the United States (US) focused this week on global transportation supply chains, namely two American ports on the West Coast of the country. Similar to the US, the British Prime Minister is also focused on supply chain challenges, appointing a person to help advise on the issue. The US also appears to … Continue Reading
Talks between the United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) continued this week toward trying to resolve post-Brexit trade impasses, amid warnings from both sides. Officials from the United States (US) attended Group of 20 (G20) meetings and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ministerial this week, with Biden Administration officials welcoming the … Continue Reading
Tension between the United States (US) and France remains heightened, spilling over to European Union (EU) – however, the EU-US Trade and Tech Council is set to move forward this coming week. Global leaders addressed the United Nations General Assembly this past week, with the US President convening a virtual COVID-19 Summit on the margins. … Continue Reading
This week, the United Kingdom (UK) provided an extension related to the customs requirements for its goods transiting to Northern Ireland, thereby providing additional time for negotiations with the European Union (EU) to find a path forward to resolve the trade concerns tied to the Northern Ireland Protocol. The European Commission published its 2021 Strategic … Continue Reading
