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Bipartisan Members Launch TTIP Caucus

Reps. William Keating (MA-09), Richard E. Neal (MA-01), Erik Paulsen (MN-03), and Todd Young (IN-09) launched the Congressional Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Caucus Thursday night.  The Caucus will serve as a conduit between Members of Congress and TTIP negotiators. 

The four bipartisan co-chairs were joined at the Caucus’ launch by EU Ambassador Vale de Almeida and Deputy US Trade Representative Michael Punke, who is the US negotiator for TTIP.

“TTIP has a remarkable potential to spur new growth and generate jobs throughout the United States and Europe,” said Rep. Keating.  “This agreement will also raise the standards that underpin the international trading system, allowing the US and EU alike to hold companies to higher health, safety, labor, and environmental standards.  Ultimately, it will help level the playing field in global trade, which is something desperately needed.  I firmly believe TTIP will strengthen our economy, and am proud to join my co-chairs on this important endeavor.”

"I am very excited about the potential of the TTIP Caucus. I have always believed that strengthening the ties between the United State and the European Union makes good sense. A comprehensive trade and investment partnership with the 27 nations that make up the European Union will increase the export of U.S. goods and services abroad and create new jobs here at home. Bringing down existing trade barriers will allow U.S. manufactures to sell more of their products to the 500 million people who current live in the EU. And since the United States and the EU already have the largest trade and economic relationship in the world, building on this longstanding partnership is wise. I look forward to serving on the bipartisan caucus with my distinguished colleagues," said Rep. Neal.

“The transatlantic economy is the largest and most integrated in the world, and tremendous opportunity exists to build upon our current relationship with Europe” said Rep. Paulsen. “By breaking down regulatory barriers and increasing access to foreign markets, we provide businesses the opportunity to grow. The bipartisan TTIP caucus will be an important tool to help promote the benefits increased trade with Europe will bring for workers, companies, and our economy. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we make progress on this agreement.”

“I’m excited to help launch this TTIP Caucus with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle," said Rep. Young.  "A completed TTIP agreement would boost Indiana exports by nearly 33%, and could create new jobs for nearly 14,000 Hoosiers.  This is exactly the sort of thing my constituents, and all Americans, need in order to help get our economy moving.”

Also participating in tonight’s launch were various transatlantic organizations, including the German Marshall Fund, the Atlantic Council, and the Bertelsmann Foundation. 

 

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