EU commissioner for Internal Market will not attend EU-US TTC

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Dec 2022 15:36

The EU commissioner for Internal Market will not attend the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Maryland, US, in protest.

EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Brenton (EP)

Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, will not participate in the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Maryland, US, next week since Washington disregarded European concerns, according to US media that cited Breton's assistant on Friday.

Breton's aide argued that the US "no longer gives sufficient space to issues of concern to many European industry ministers and businesses." He even argued that some major issues that require real effort are "now limited to two hours of ministerial meetings."

The aide said that the topic of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which raised trade issues for the EU since certain member states claimed it was "unfriendly" and in violation of WTO regulations, was removed from the agenda and turned to "something discussed over a 45-minute lunch."

Brenton's aide explained that "Today, the real issue is the urgent need to preserve the competitiveness of Europe's industrial base," adding that "only Europe can and must find a rapid and appropriate response to this challenge."

While "the commissioner is currently devoting all his energy" to find the appropriate responses needed for the EU, the aide announced that Brenton will visit the US early in 2023 to discuss industry, technology, competitiveness, space and cyber issues.

Macron slams IRA subsidies on first day of state visit to Washington

On the first day of a state visit to Washington, French President Emmanuel Macron couldn't hold himself but throw a massive undiplomatic remark at his US hosts, that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) subsidies were posing a major threat to French competitors.

An AFP journalist reported he heard the French President tell US lawmakers and business people, "This is super aggressive for our business people."

"You will perhaps fix your issue, but you will increase my problem," he said, referring to the Inflation Reduction Act.

They had just invited him to lunch ahead of his meeting with US President Joe Biden scheduled on Thursday.