ACTION REQUESTED
[18150]
November 2, 2004
TO: INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE No. 50-04
RE: DRAFT INSTITUTE COMMENT LETTER ON ENHANCING US-EU DIALOGUE
Attached is a draft Institute letter to the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) on
ways to enhance the economic relationship between the United States and the European Union.
The deadline for written comments is November 15, 2004. If you have any comments on the
Institute’s draft letter, please provide them to me by email at jchoi@ici.org or by telephone at
(202) 326-5810 by November 9, 2004.
The letter generally supports efforts to build stronger ties between the US and the EU
and states that it would be helpful for the US government to be engaged with EU counterparts
on some of the policy issues that are of importance to US firms. Specifically, the letter
recommends that the US government take the step of establishing a continuing dialogue
between the US Treasury Department and the EU’s rotating Presidency and the working group
of the Council of Economic Ministers. Regular dialogue and consultation with Council
policymakers during the formulation of primary legislation could greatly deepen the
relationship between the US and the EU and avoid articulation of policy goals that have a
detrimental effect on US firms.
The letter also states that there should be more transparency with respect to the subject
matters that are discussed between the US and EU. By providing information about the specific
matters that are the subject of discussion and allowing industry to comment, the US and EU
could engender greater industry support for the US-EU dialogue. In addition, the letter also
encourages the US to bring together EU and US government officials with private sector
representatives to discuss significant current issues. This type of forum will facilitate
transparency on issues of concern on both sides of the Atlantic and provide an opportunity for
private industry to discuss and exchange views with both US and EU officials.
Jennifer S. Choi
Associate Counsel
Attachment (in .pdf format)