The fourth round of trade negotiations between the EU and the United States ends

The chief negotiator of the UE from the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), Ignacio García Bercero, has confirmed that he and his American counterpart, Dan MullaneyThey have committed to analyzing how to facilitate the small companies take advantage of the benefits of ATCI.

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His remarks came as EU and government officials were meeting United States They were concluding the fourth round of week-long negotiations on a trade and investment agreement between the European Union and the United States.

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In his comments, the Mr. García Bercero He added that a chapter aimed at the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) “It will be a first for the European UnionSmall businesses employ the vast majority of citizens both in the EU and in the United StatesThey account for two out of every three private sector jobs in the EU. And they are the cornerstone of these economies, representing 99% of all EU businesses. ATCI This would help them expand, generating growth and employment on both sides of the Atlantic.”

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The EU and the United States have published a document focused on small businesses — how they can benefit from the agreement, as well as how both sides plan to help businesses achieve this.

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Progress in all three negotiation areas during the 4th round of negotiations

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Access to marketsThe negotiators have discussed three fundamental elements: tariffs, trade in services and government procurementOn tariffs, the EU and the US had already exchanged initial offers. Regarding services and government procurement, negotiators examined how to move forward with an exchange of offers.

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regulationThe negotiators were joined to discuss a wide range of experts and regulators from both sides: regulatory coherence and increased regulatory compatibility; technical barriers to trade (OTC), on which both parties had already formulated written proposals; sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) — prepare the ground for written proposals at the appropriate time.

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The EU and the US also continued to explore different ways to achieve greater regulatory compatibility in certain key sectors: pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, healthcare products, the automotive industry and chemicals.

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Rules, The discussions covered three areas in which negotiators are developing innovative approaches:

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Sustainable development, work and the environment — building on what is already covered in the current EU-US trade agreements;

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Energy and raw materials trade, an area in which the EU wishes to include an agreed framework in the ATCI;

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Customs and trade facilitationSimplification and streamlining procedures are especially important, as lengthy and complex customs clearance rules hit smaller businesses particularly hard and can discourage entrepreneurs from selling abroad.

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A full day dedicated to stakeholders

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La European Commission The EU is determined to listen to and gather feedback from all those with an interest in the outcome of these negotiations. As part of this effort, during this fourth round, the EU also organized two events with civil society on Wednesday, March 12.

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The negotiators interacted with 90 speakers representing businesses, consumers, workers, and environmental groups. The EU and US chief negotiators also met with more than 300 stakeholders for two hours. They outlined their views on the current state of the negotiations and the next steps, and answered questions.

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