EU and US leaders reset the transatlantic relationship

The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) warmly welcomes the announcement made on Friday, 5 March by President von der Leyen and President Biden to suspend punitive tariffs imposed in the WTO aircraft subsidies dispute. The four-month grace period will give time to negotiators to find a commonly-agreed permanent solution to the dispute on permissible aircraft subsidies.

News
8 Mar 2021
Customs and trade facilitation , Trade, Transatlantic
EU and US leaders reset the transatlantic relationship

The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) warmly welcomes the announcement made on Friday, 5 March by President von der Leyen and President Biden to suspend punitive tariffs imposed in the WTO aircraft subsidies dispute. The four-month grace period will give time to negotiators to find a commonly-agreed permanent solution to the dispute on permissible aircraft subsidies.

This is a positive development in EU-US trade relations, demonstrating the commitment of both sides to forge a strong partnership that will deliver tangible results. The suspension of retaliatory tariffs on both aircraft and non-aircraft goods is a welcome step that will boost transatlantic trade and comes at a time when both economies are beginning to recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic. Both Presidents have also identified avenues for further EU-US cooperation on key areas such as healthcare, climate change and foreign policy.

AmCham EU urges both partners to also consider the removal of tit-for-tat tariffs imposed on steel and aluminium products in the context of the Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962 investigation. AmCham EU continues to advocate for a permanent exemption for the EU from tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium.

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Reacting to the vote, Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU, welcomed the Parliament’s decision as a necessary step towards a more predictable transatlantic marketplace: ‘The Parliament today has taken a decision that helps put the EU-US trade and investment relationship back on track. It is the right signal for businesses that have been stuck in limbo over the past year.’

‘AmCham EU opposes broad-based tariffs. However, given political priorities on both sides of the Atlantic, we still see the Framework Agreement as the most realistic route to securing a more constructive EU-US trade and investment climate’, Mr Lohan added. ‘We call on the Parliament and Member States to conclude trilogues swiftly. Once the tariff reductions are approved, the EU and the US can get back to advancing the cooperation the Framework Agreement envisages on a range of areas that benefit European and American businesses alike. We look to both sides to continue honouring their commitments throughout this process.’ 

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