U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council: Signal of Transatlantic Solidarity
education and training is necessary to counter the growing shortage of skilled workers, not least in the STEM sector.
Working Group 10: Global Trade Challenges The BDI supports close coordination between the EU and the United States with a view to maintaining a liberal, market- and rules-based trading system and a comprehensive reform of the WTO. In this context, we also welcome the establishment of an early warning mechanism for third-party trade measures. The cornerstones of global trade should be a level playing field, the fairest possible reciprocity, and common, high standards in the areas of labor, human rights, the environment, and climate to avoid a further race to the bottom. Existing asymmetries and distortions with countries that differ fundamentally in their economic systems should be addressed through the TTC’s highly practice-oriented work and counteracted with coordinated measures. On page 3 of the Joint Statement, the partners reaffirm the goal of reducing unnecessary bilateral trade and investment barriers, preventing the emergence of new barriers and resolving existing differences (the word “conflicts’ is avoided). However, there are few concrete approaches to achieving these goals in Annex X of Working Group 10. A type of early warning mechanism is also to be introduced for bilateral trade barriers that could arise, for example, from new regulations or legislative proposals. Within the framework of Working Group 10, a party may indicate the need to discuss regulatory initiatives by the other party affecting trade to avoid the emergence of new bilateral trade barriers. Provided that it improves the existing possibilities for exchange (bilaterally or within the framework of the WTO), we welcome this mechanism. The EU and the United States announce that they will identify specific areas and/or products where mutual recognition of conformity assessments could promote transatlantic trade. In the mechanical and plant engineering sector alone, the potential for cost savings through mutual recognition of conformity assessment results is five to 18 percent, according to estimates by the VDMA industry association. In this context, implementing the goal of “one standard, one test, accepted everywhere” has top priority. Mutual recognition of conformity assessment test results requires prior harmonization of underlying norms and standards. This can only be achieved through international standardization work within the multilateral framework. In this context, it is important not to give way to the “low hanging fruit” of mutual recognition of standards. Different standardization requirements can never be suitable for concretizing European legal requirements (cf. New Legislative Framework). The partners should intensify multilateral and bilateral talks in this direction and seek binding regulations. In addition, we encourage both sides to start negotiations to reduce industrial tariffs on each other. Unfortunately, the goal of resolving existing trade differences is not further specified. The EU and the United States should urgently work on a final resolution on subsidies in the aviation sector and the punitive tariffs associated with them, which are currently subject to a moratorium. In addition, the remaining U.S. import restrictions on steel and aluminum from the EU should be finally abolished. The close cooperation and coordination on sanctions against Russia again clearly show that the EU and
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