TOP STORY

U.S. AND EU UNITE TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC INTEGRATION AND BOOST JOBS, GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS

November 9, 2006

















Euuropean Union Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen and Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez at meeting November 10 in Washington.

Washington, DC - Today, the Bush Administration hosted the second informal U.S.-EU economic ministerial meeting to discuss transatlantic economic integration and shared economic challenges. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman met with European Union Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen and Finnish Minister for Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen to review joint progress in the most significant areas of the transatlantic economy, including innovation, intellectual property rights (IPR), regulatory cooperation, and energy security.

"The U.S. and EU economic relationship continues to be the largest and most successful bilateral trade and investment relationships in the world,” said Gutierrez. “However, we also recognize the need to continue to focus on the burdensome regulations that slow down economic growth, promote enforcement of intellectual property rights, and identify ways to collaborate on innovation efforts. Today we agreed to look at new projects in these areas, such as the automotive and healthcare sectors, to bring meaningful results for both economies." (Full release)

GUTIERREZ TRADE MISSION TO CHINA WILL FOCUS ON EXPANDING U.S. EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES

JCCT Chairman Gutierrez To
Highlight Areas for Intensified
Bilateral Trade Discussions

Washington, DC - In an effort to expand U.S. export opportunities, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez will lead a broad delegation of 25 U.S. businesses to China November 13-16, and will discuss with senior Chinese officials ways to resolve key bilateral trade issues. Gutierrez, who leads the Joint Committee on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), the major U.S.-Chinese bilateral trade forum, will highlight core areas for intensified discussions within the JCCT and will give remarks at a major Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) event hosted by the United States in Beijing. (Full release)