The USA and the EU

News about the United States of America and the European Union. The European Union and the United States of America established diplomatic relations as early as 1953, but it was only in November 1990 that the cooperation was formalised for the first time with the Transatlantic Declaration. Since December 1995, the New Transatlantic Agenda (NTA) has provided the foundation for the relationship. The ambitious agenda of cooperation between the EU and the US is taken forward via constant, intensive dialogue. This dialogue takes place at various levels, from the annual summit meetings between EU and US leaders to technical work at expert level. Within the framework of the NTA and in line with the Transatlantic Economic Partnership (TEP)launched in 1998, the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) was created in 2007 to take forward efforts to boost the transatlantic economy. Under the TEC umbrella, a High-Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth was established by the 2011 EU-US Summit, tasked to identify policies and measures to increase EU-US trade and investment to support job creation, economic growth, and international competitiveness. The final report with conclusions and recommendations from the Working Group was produced on 12 February 2013. On 14 June, the Council of the European Union adopted negotiating directives for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the US. Together, the EU and the USA have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship in the world, roughly 31% of the world trade and over 49% of the world GDP. In keeping with the evolving political and legal personality of the EU, there is active cooperation across a host of sectors, such as cooperation in justice and home affairs, energy and energy security, environment, science & technology, and education & training.

EU welcomes Biden's United States back to 'rules-based international order'

The European Union welcomed the inauguration of Joe Biden Wednesday as an opportunity for Europe to strengthen EU-US ties and tackle common challenges and threats to the democratic system.

EU looks to rekindle transatlantic alliance under Biden

Following the Trump years of bilateral tensions and unilateral tendencies, the EU put forward a strategy Wednesday to strengthen ties with the United States after US President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

Biden victory offers businesses greater stability and hope on COVID-19 and immigration

Expert comment from Christian Stadler, Professor of Strategic Management at Warwick Business School:

EU gets WTO green light for tariffs on US exports over Boeing

The WTO's dispute settlement body gave formal authorisation Monday for the EU to increase duties on U.S. exports worth up to $4 billion, in retaliation for illegal subsidies granted to U.S. aircraft maker Boeing.

Brussels prepares to implement EU-U.S.tariff cuts

The EU Commission published a proposal Tuesday for a regulation to scrap duties on certain imports from the United States to the EU, with the U.S. in return to reduce duties on certain EU exports to its market.

EU, United States agree trade tariff reductions

United States and EU trade representatives announced Friday agreement on a package of tariff reductions that will increase market access for hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. and EU exports.

EU complies with WTO Airbus rulings, wants US tariffs lifted

The governments of France and Spain agreed with Airbus Friday to modify the terms of a 'repayable launch investment' granted by them for development of the A350 aircraft to reflect market conditions.

EU-US Data Protection Shield inadequate, EU Court rules

The Court of Justice of the EU decided Thursday to invalidate the EU-US Privacy Shield on grounds of an inadequate levels of protection given to European consumer data transferred to the United States.

China tariff cut a sign it has to deal with Trump after impeachment vote

Responding to news that China has halved tariffs on more than 1,700 US goods, Nigel Driffield, Professor of International Business at Warwick Business School said:

Post-Brexit, Imperiled Transatlantic Relationship More Important Than Ever

The UK's impending departure from the European Union on January 31 creates at least one certainty. Following the Tories' resounding victory in the December parliamentary elections, any further talk of a second referendum is empty rhetoric; the idea was rejected at the ballot box.

US demands should come as no surprise given UK approach to trade talks

Nigel Driffield, Professor of International Business at Warwick Business School, comments on the leaked documents on UK-US trade talks.

EU-US privacy shield review finds room for improvement

The U.S. is ensuring adequate protection for personal data transferred under the 'Privacy Shield' from the EU to participating companies in the States, says the EU's third review, but there is room for improvement.

EU, United States sign agreement on imports of hormone-free beef

The European Union and the United States signed in Washington D.C. Friday an agreement reviewing the functioning of an existing quota to import hormone-free beef into the EU.

Chipmaker Qualcomm fined EUR 242m for 'predatory pricing'

The EU Commission fined US tech giant Qualcomm EUR 242 million Thursday, for abusing its market dominance in 3G baseband chipsets, sold below cost with the aim of forcing its competitor Icera out of the market.

EU, US agree pharmaceuticals mutual recognition

The EU and the United States have completed a Mutual Recognition Agreement, with both sides agreeing to reduce barriers and increase trade in pharmaceuticals as part of ongoing EU-U.S. trade talks.

Expert comment on the US threatening tariffs on EU goods

Expert comment on the US threatening tariffs on EU goods from Nigel Driffield, Professor of International Business at Warwick Business School. He researches international trade, and has consulted and researched for the World Bank, the European Commission, UKTI, BIS and the OECD.

EU backs start of trade talks with United States

The EU agreed Monday to adopt negotiating directives to start trade talks with the United States, authorising negotiations on the elimination of tariffs for industrial goods and on conformity assessment.

EU welcomes WTO Boeing ruling against US

The EU has welcomed the World Trade Organisation's ruling Thursday which it says vindicates the EU position that the United States has taken no steps to comply with WTO rules on support to Boeing.

Mandate for the EU-U.S. cooperation on electronic evidence

The European Commission recommended on 5 February engaging in two international negotiations on cross-border rules to obtain electronic evidence.

Brussels adopts negotiating mandates for trade deal with the United States

The EU Commission adopted Friday proposals for negotiating directives for its trade talks with the United States: one on conformity assessment, and one on the elimination of tariffs for industrial goods.

EU visa reciprocity mechanism

The European Commission reported on 20 December on progress made in the past 12 months towards achieving visa-reciprocity with the United States, as the only remaining case of non-reciprocity.

U.S. now EU's main supplier of soyabeans

The U.S. has become Europe's main supplier of soyabeans, reaching a 52% share compared to 25% in in the same period last year, according to figures published Thursday by the EU Commission.

EU imports of American soybeans jump 283 pct

Following up on a July agreement between the EU and U.S. president Trump, the European Commission reported Wednesday an increase of 283% in imports of soybeans from the United States.

Trump criticised as NATO strengthens cooperation with EU

"Appreciate your allies, after all you don't have that many," EU Council president Tusk told US president Trump Tuesday, as NATO and the EU signed a joint declaration to strengthen military cooperation.

Tariffs would damage US car industry, EU warns Trump

Imposing tariffs on imports of EU cars would damage US trade and its own car industry, the European Union warned Monday in formal comments to the United States Department of Commerce.