25/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - A transatlantic taskforce on trade. On 12 May, the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE) and the German Marshall Fund created a taskforce with the aim of stimulating greater leadership in trade policy in Europe and the United States. A high-level group made up of 12 researchers and academics, representatives of the business world and civil society, and political decision-makers will meet several times to produce, by the end of the year, an analysis report and recommendations. The taskforce is co-chaired by the Swedish Trade Minister Ewa Björling, and former Congressman Jim Kolbe. Working alongside them will be figures such as Jennifer Hillman, a member of the WTO appeals body, Erika Mann, ex-MEP and member of the committee on international trade, Patrick Messerlin, Co-chair of the taskforce on the millennium development objectives, Hugo Paemen, former Ambassador of the EU to the United States and Special Adviser to President Barroso (Commission), Ana Palacio, former Spanish Foreign Minister and Susan Schwab, former American Trade Representative. (E.H./transl.fl)