# CE2004078EN.01072201.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/722 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/722

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(2004/C 78 E/0772)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1720/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 May 2003)

Subject:   Joint EU and US bloc vis-à-vis the rest of the world by widening the remit of the TABD

Subject:

| 1. | With the reactivation of the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD), is the Commission trying to keep the divergent interests of the EU and US, with their very different social systems, Kyoto obligations, concepts of international law enforcement, attitudes to war and arms, development aid to the Third World and respect for the United Nations, completely separate? |
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1.

With the reactivation of the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD), is the Commission trying to keep the divergent interests of the EU and US, with their very different social systems, Kyoto obligations, concepts of international law enforcement, attitudes to war and arms, development aid to the Third World and respect for the United Nations, completely separate?

| 2. | Is a broader remit for the TABD consistent with its original terms of reference, which were to build bridges between policymakers and private actors on either side of the Atlantic, or is it now a question of ensuring that, as far as possible, the EU and US present a united front as a single trading bloc at international level? |
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2.

Is a broader remit for the TABD consistent with its original terms of reference, which were to build bridges between policymakers and private actors on either side of the Atlantic, or is it now a question of ensuring that, as far as possible, the EU and US present a united front as a single trading bloc at international level?

| 3. | Against which other countries in the world is this joint venture on the part of the EU and US directed? What common interests need to be defended vis-à-vis Japan, Russia, China and all the countries of the Third World, and why? |
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3.

Against which other countries in the world is this joint venture on the part of the EU and US directed? What common interests need to be defended vis-à-vis Japan, Russia, China and all the countries of the Third World, and why?

| 4. | In connection with the considerations set out above, does the Commission apply benchmarks to determine cases in which economic cooperation between the EU and US is desirable and those in which it is not? Can the Commission disclose what these benchmarks are? |
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4.

In connection with the considerations set out above, does the Commission apply benchmarks to determine cases in which economic cooperation between the EU and US is desirable and those in which it is not? Can the Commission disclose what these benchmarks are?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(4 August 2003)

(4 August 2003)

| 1. | The Commission refers to the reply given to the Honourable Member in the Written Question E-1719/03 (1). The Commission welcomes and supports the relaunching of the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue (TABD). Its specific aim is to help solve differences in transatlantic economic relations and contribute to dismantling of barriers to trade. |
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1.

The Commission refers to the reply given to the Honourable Member in the Written Question E-1719/03 (1). The Commission welcomes and supports the relaunching of the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue (TABD). Its specific aim is to help solve differences in transatlantic economic relations and contribute to dismantling of barriers to trade.

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| 2. | There is no plan for a broader remit for the TABD. The role of the TABD will continue to be that of building bridges between Union and United States businesses and governments. Moreover, in the area of multilateralism, TABD has the potential to contribute to the DOHA process and World Trade Organisation (WTO) matters in general, with benefit for other countries as well. Therefore, its role is certainly not to ensure the existence of a single trading bloc at international level. |
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2.

There is no plan for a broader remit for the TABD. The role of the TABD will continue to be that of building bridges between Union and United States businesses and governments. Moreover, in the area of multilateralism, TABD has the potential to contribute to the DOHA process and World Trade Organisation (WTO) matters in general, with benefit for other countries as well. Therefore, its role is certainly not to ensure the existence of a single trading bloc at international level.

| 3. | The TABD is not directed against any other countries in the world. Common trade interests with the countries referred to by the Honourable Member, as well as those between the Union and the United States, are discussed in various multilateral and bilateral fora. Should they be of interest to business, dealing with such issues within the TABD is possible. For instance, the WTO negotiations have been widely discussed in the TABD in the past. |
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3.

The TABD is not directed against any other countries in the world. Common trade interests with the countries referred to by the Honourable Member, as well as those between the Union and the United States, are discussed in various multilateral and bilateral fora. Should they be of interest to business, dealing with such issues within the TABD is possible. For instance, the WTO negotiations have been widely discussed in the TABD in the past.

| 4. | In the TABD process it is up to business to identify the issues on which they wish to give recommendations to the governments. The Commission considers the TABD as an important interlocutor in transatlantic economic relations. The implementation of the recommendations of the TABD is considered based on their own merit and in respect of the acquis and the competencies of the Commission. As a general rule the Commission gives positive consideration to all efforts to dismantle barriers to transatlantic trade and to reduce transaction costs for doing business. In doing so, it takes into account also other policy considerations, and in particular those related to the common commercial policy and the competitiveness of the European enterprises. |
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4.

In the TABD process it is up to business to identify the issues on which they wish to give recommendations to the governments. The Commission considers the TABD as an important interlocutor in transatlantic economic relations. The implementation of the recommendations of the TABD is considered based on their own merit and in respect of the acquis and the competencies of the Commission. As a general rule the Commission gives positive consideration to all efforts to dismantle barriers to transatlantic trade and to reduce transaction costs for doing business. In doing so, it takes into account also other policy considerations, and in particular those related to the common commercial policy and the competitiveness of the European enterprises.

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(1)  OJ C 11 E, 15.1.2004, p. 219.

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