118th Congress Begins with Focus on China. Last weekend, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was elected Speaker of the House. In his first speech, McCarthy said Republicans will “address America’s long-term challenges: the debt, and the rise of the Chinese Communist Party.”… 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
This report provides a snapshot of the US Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases. POTUS’ Schedule* 8:30 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT receives the President’s Daily Brief | Biden Residence, Wilmington, DE 9:40 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT departs New Castle, Delaware, en route Newark, New Jersey 10:20 a.m. … 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* 10:00 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT receives the President’s Daily Brief | The White House… 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* 10:30 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT receives the President’s Daily Brief | The White House 5:00 p.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on his robust plan to stop the spread of the … Continue Reading
The United States (US) and European Union (EU) focused this week on forced labor and concerns with their respective supply chains, with the US releasing updated guidance on some related concerns coming from one region within the People’s Republic of China (China). Russia was also in the spotlight, with the US focused on cyber-attacks originating … Continue Reading
The United Kingdom (UK) hosted the Group of Seven¹ (G7) Leaders’ Summit, which opened on Friday and will conclude on Sunday. The Summit comes after the G7 Finance Ministers reached an agreement in principle on global minimum tax regime last weekend. Officials from the United States (US), including the President, were in the UK this … Continue Reading
This is a weekly post spotlighting labor topics in focus by the US legislative and executive branches during the previous week. In this issue, we cover: Biden Administration Labor Leadership Updates More Republican-Led States Curb Federal Pandemic-Related Unemployment Benefits House W&M Republicans Introduced Paid Family Leave Bill Two Workplace Bills Advance Out of Committee OSHA … Continue Reading
The President of the United States (US) directed the American intelligence community to redouble efforts in ascertaining the origins of COVID-19, a move that comes amid US lawmakers increasingly pressing the Administration to investigate allegations of a possible leak from a laboratory in Wuhan in the People’s Republic of China (“China”). The European Union (EU) … Continue Reading
In a surprising announcement last week, the United States (US) reversed course on its position towards the COVID-10 TRIPS Agreement waiver negotiations, saying it would negotiate a waiver at the World Trade Organization (WTO). US Republican lawmakers and the pharmaceutical industry pushed back on the decision, warning it would allow the People’s Republic of China … Continue Reading
The United States (US) hosted the Leaders Summit on Climate this week, with transatlantic partners affirming commitments on reducing emissions and growing green, sustainable jobs. The United Kingdom (UK) and the US also focused on issues with respect to Russia, while the European Union (EU) published a legislative package related to sustainable finance and sustainable … Continue Reading
Tensions with Russia resulted in another G7 statement on the situation in and around Ukraine, while the United States (US) moved to address other Russian provocations related to cyber intrusions, election interference and bounties on US troops in Afghanistan. The United Kingdom (UK) also denounced Russia’s malign activities. While US lawmakers welcomed the actions against … Continue Reading
Officials from the United States (US) reached out to European officials this week, discussing mutual concerns and priorities. The European Union (EU) continues struggle with resolving its vaccine distribution challenges, extending its vaccine export restrictions until June. This week, the US and European partners jointly imposed sanctions against officials from the People’s Republic of China … Continue Reading
The United States (US) marked one year of COVID-related restrictions on Thursday, with US President Joe Biden noting the increased vaccination pace across the country and suggesting Americans may return to more normalcy by 4 July. The United Kingdom (UK) Government is also moving forward with its phased re-opening plans, with students returning to schools … Continue Reading
The European Union (EU) continues to face COVID-19 vaccine production challenges in the bloc, along with increased COVID-19 infection cases driven by the mutating coronavirus. Whereas the United Kingdom (UK) and United States (US) have seen declines in COVID-19 cases, which is allowing for some easing of restrictions. Tension between the EU and UK remains … Continue Reading
United States (US) engagement with transatlantic partners came across multiple fronts this week, via the White House, State Department outreach, the NATO Defense Ministerial and Treasury Department outreach. The European Commission released its trade strategy, with the “Open Strategic Autonomy” principle at the center, but also prioritizing strengthening the European Union (EU)-US relationship. Effective this … 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. 12:45 p.m. EST – The President has lunch with State Attorneys General | Cabinet Room… Continue Reading
The United Kingdom (UK) approved its first COVID-19 vaccine this past week, moving forward with its first inoculations this month. Regulators in the United States (US) and European Union (EU) are still examining the Phase 3 clinical data but are not far behind in their respective approval processes for some vaccine candidates. Talks between the … Continue Reading
President-Elect Joe Biden is expected to prioritize rebuilding transatlantic relations, after several years of elevated tensions on a number of trade priorities. US and European officials have traded barbs on a number of fronts – from World Trade Organization (WTO) reform to the long-standing large civil aircraft dispute, and from Section 232 national security tariffs … Continue Reading
The European Commission published its 2021 work program for the coming 12 to 14 months on October 19, 2020. The 44 new policy initiatives complements EU’s medium-term policy objectives, including the green and the digital transformation, dealing with the economic and social consequences of COVID-19, and strengthening Europe’s role at the international level. In light … Continue Reading
COVID-19 has affected leadership in the United States (US) and Europe these past few weeks, with multiple top US officials in self-quarantine this week after potential exposures to infected persons. US officials have thus far failed to advance another COVID-19 relief package, while the European Union (EU) Finance Ministers reached a political agreement on the … 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
