House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) called for a comprehensive, ambitious trade agreement with the EU on Monday ahead of the latest Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations.
In a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman, Brady and Hatch called for a trade agreement that would bring economic benefits to American consumers and businesses. The lawmakers also raised concerns about the EU’s lack of engagement on key areas of interest.
“We understand that the successful conclusion of TTIP will require political leadership on both sides of the Atlantic,” Brady and Hatch wrote. “Congress continues to support enhanced economic and commercial ties between the United States and the EU through the completion of a strong and ambitious TTIP, and we urge you to make as much progress as possible by the end of this year to create momentum for further action on a comprehensive TTIP next year.”
In response to the EU’s disengagement on key areas of concern, Brady and Hatch requested that Froman continue to emphasize that these areas must be addressed in order to gain congressional support of the agreement.
“The EU’s pattern of ‘hostage taking’ and other stall tactics has led us to where we are today – to a point where European leaders are expressing an inability and an unwillingness to complete a comprehensive agreement by the end of this year,” Brady and Hatch wrote. “However, we remain committed to continuing and elevating these negotiations. Even if they cannot be finished this year, we believe it is essential to make progress and, by so doing, to create momentum for next year. The United States has come to the table prepared to negotiate a high-standard agreement, and we have the political will to do so. Congress will not accept an abbreviated or low-standard agreement simply because the Europeans have run out the clock. TTIP must be a single undertaking.”
The lawmakers added that they support efforts to continue pressuring the EU in those key areas, and that a strong and comprehensive TTIP would be important for American businesses, consumers, farmers and workers.