Europeans were eager to see concrete results in the work of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC). After the third meeting of this formation on Monday 5 December, both parties said that the TTC has made “tangible progress in across all workstreams”. This is how they concluded their eleven-page joint statement at the end of the meeting.
EU Commissioners Valdis Dombrovskis and Margrethe Vestager were in College Park, Maryland with their US counterparts, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
The meeting was marked by the issue of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Europeans and Americans have agreed to address the problem in the framework of the TTC, in addition to the task force already in place (see other news).
However, many other topics were discussed and some new initiatives were launched.
Connectivity projects in Jamaica and Kenya. The EU and the US have announced support for digital connectivity projects in partnership with the Jamaican and Kenyan governments. The idea is to connect more than 1,000 public schools and private homes to secure Internet services in Jamaica, as well as to train teachers and support the use of digital technologies by SMEs.
In the case of Kenya, the EU and Washington, together with the government in Nairobi, will support the implementation of the Kenyan 2022-2032 National Digital Masterplan. This will include better connectivity in schools, the development of fibre optics, and teacher training.
In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to finance connectivity in third countries.
In addition, one of the TTC’s working groups is charged with addressing the connectivity and security of transatlantic submarine cables.
Artificial Intelligence. As we have written (see EUROPE 13076/22), the third meeting of the TTC resulted in the adoption of a trustworthy roadmap on artificial intelligence (AI). It aims to “guide the development of tools, methodologies, and approaches to AI risk management”.
Quantum technologies. A working group is to be set up to reduce barriers to collaboration in research and development on quantum science and technology, say the EU and US in their joint statement.
Electric vehicle charging. The two transatlantic partners intend to develop common international standards for 2024 on Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) for heavy vehicles.
Semiconductors. The joint statement says that the US Department of Trade and the European Commission are committing to an “administrative arrangement” to establish a warning mechanism for problems in supply chains. A second arrangement will be to exchange information on government support programmes for the semiconductor sector between the two parties, who want to “avoid subsidy races and market distortions”.
Sustainable trade. A Transatlantic Sustainable Trade Initiative has been launched, which should identify actions that support sustainable transatlantic trade and investment.
Non-market economy countries. Both the EU and Washington are concerned about unfair practices in some countries and mention the case of China, where they are particularly concerned about the medical devices sector. They want to work together to explore the policy tools available to address unfair policies and practices.
The declaration mentions other areas where the EU and the US commit to exchange and cooperate, such as the protection of online human rights defenders, trade and labour, research, export controls, including for dual-use goods, and investment screening.
The next meeting of the TTC is expected to take place during 2023 in the EU.
See the joint statement: https://aeur.eu/f/4ho (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)