Brussels, 17/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - There will be no Euro-American Summit at the end of this year. Washington has for some time now shown a lack of interest in this kind of twice-yearly ceremonial, for which preparation takes more time and energy than it would like. This opinion was echoed by the Europeans in Gothenburg, albeit in a disorganised manner and not without causing a stir in certain European capitals, especially in those of small Member States for which the holding of the Union Presidency provides the only occasion to stand face to face with the United States. It remains to be seen where the decision to go from two to one summits a year was taken. The response on the Commission's side is evasive to say the least, voluntarily leaving a "vagueness" behind it. Could it be, as one diplomatic source suggested, within the high level group where the European Commission is the discussion partner of American officials?
US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick is to be in Brussels, on Tuesday, however. No relationship of cause and effect, it is stressed at the Commission, which adds that this visit is more to be placed back into the context of continuous and friendly dialogue that the American official enjoys with his European counterpart, Pascal Lamy. So there is nothing extraordinary but it is expected that the two men will tackle several burning current trading issues, including the steel affair that seems to be turning into a dispute and that of the Foreign Sales Corporations which is still awaiting final settlement after the repeated condemnations in Geneva of this tax exemption regime in favour of large exporters of "Made in America" goods. The meeting will also cover multilateral issues and above all the post-Doha issue. During the afternoon, Mr Zoellick is to meet Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström, with no doubt GMOs on the discussion menu. He will then meet Commissioner Franz Fischler responsible for common agricultural policy. On Tuesday also, attention is focused on Paris where the OECD is to tackle the problem of over-capacity suffered by the world's steel market. Statistical evaluations are expected from member countries regarding production, consumption, identification of outlets and the possible reductions of capacities that are not profitable, as well as their effect in economic and social terms.