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 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
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
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
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
This report provides a snapshot of the US Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases. POTUS’ Schedule* *The US President (POTUS) and Vice President’s (VPOTUS) daily schedules are subject to change. 11:30 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at Spirit of America Showcase | Grand Foyer VPOTUS’ Schedule* Vice … 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
America and European countries remain focused on securing a COVID-19 vaccine to prevent resurgences of the virus, with the European Commission unveiling a strategy this week to accelerate its coordinated efforts. At a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defense Ministerial this week, partners focused on COVID-19 and other topics, including the US’ announcement to lower … Continue Reading
President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are being pressured by anti-establishment organizations to provide no further federal spending in response to the coronavirus. But the president and his team appear poised to move in the opposite direction, having recently revealed plans to put forth a US$1 trillion national infrastructure spending blueprint in the coming days … Continue Reading
A potential area of increased transatlantic collaboration could center on ongoing efforts to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO). China’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic may provide an avenue for the United States (US) and European Union (EU), along with the United Kingdom (UK) and other like-minded trading partners, to bridge divides on WTO reform … Continue Reading
The United States has been experiencing large-scale protests in urban centers in response to the death of George Floyd, a black American citizen, in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 25 May. This is not the first time the country has seen protests related to racism against black Americans, but it comes amid a global … Continue Reading
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) is requesting comments for newly initiated Section 301 investigations on digital services tax (DST) adopted or under consideration by Austria, Brazil, the Czech Republic, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Comments are due by July 15. On June 2, USTR announced … Continue Reading
Since 1962, Squire Patton Boggs has represented the interests of over 100 sovereign governments and sovereign-owned entities. Success in this unique practice originates from our combination of deeply substantive international legal counsel, sharpened by the powerful political considerations offered by former diplomats and other officials who understand the difficult balance governments must strike between aligning … Continue Reading
The COVID-19 pandemic is straining economies around the world, and already delicate trade relations are being further challenged. We want to take a deeper look at the complex state of transatlantic trade and business before COVID-19, it’s evolution during the crisis, and venture into scenarios for a post-pandemic world. WATCH the discussion by a distinguished … Continue Reading
The European Commission unveiled a revamped budget and recovery plan for the European Union (EU) this week, as the continent looks toward re-opening and beginning its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Kingdom (UK) also announced some lifting of restrictions this week. The United States (US) Congress, meanwhile, has temporarily paused efforts on another … Continue Reading
“We are going to win so much” is a staple soundbite from President Donald Trump, and also is representative of his administration’s mindset to international negotiations. President Trump favors bilateral trade deals and has been optimistically touting the US as the UK’s first FTA partner after Brexit. From the UK’s perspective, Prime Minister Boris Johnson … Continue Reading
The US House of Representatives returns to Washington this week, but negotiations aimed at forging a bipartisan consensus on the next federal COVID-19 response package are still weeks away. The Memorial Day holiday weekend brought a surge of activity by Americans who have been in lockdown for months and are yearning for a return to … Continue Reading
The 73rd World Health Assembly (Assembly) convened virtually on 18-19 May; the US remains critical of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) response to the spread of COVID-19 and its relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Assembly is the key decision-making body of the WHO that is attended by representatives of the United … Continue Reading
On 4 May, the EU hosted a virtual international summit to secure approximately US$8.2 billion in pledged funding for research into vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. While the US government did not participate in the summit (nor did Russia or India), it continues to prioritize securing a vaccine this year. Meanwhile, the national trend in … Continue Reading
Google and Apple are collaborating on contact-tracing technology that allows for better communication between the two operating platforms to help alert individuals that may have crossed paths with a confirmed COVID-19 case. The two companies noted in a joint statement issued earlier this month, “[W]e hope to harness the power of technology to help countries … Continue Reading
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the global economy, as social distancing and shelter in place orders in various countries have affected employees, factories and global supply chains. After several weeks of restrictions, governments around the world are outlining plans to return to a “new normal,” post-COVID. US President Donald Trump released federal guidelines last … Continue Reading
As the curve of COVID-19 cases flattens in parts of the US and Europe, government officials are exploring ways to restart their economies. Looking further ahead, doing so will likely include resuming the stalled transatlantic talks aimed at securing new trade agreements. In the aftermath of the 2008-2009 financial crisis, governments kept the global economy … Continue Reading
