USTR Notifies Congress of Intent to Negotiate Trade Deal with EU, Calls for Public Comment

April 1, 2013

Ambassador Demetrios Marantis, the Acting U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), recently notified Congress of the Obama Administration’s intent to enter into negotiations with the European Union to create a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), with the goal of substantially increasing transatlantic trade and investment. The Administration’s decision to enter into negotiations with the EU follows a year-long examination by the U.S.-EU High Level Working Group of ways to increase U.S.-EU trade and investment. In a February 2013 report, the Working Group recommended that the U.S. and EU initiate the formal domestic procedures necessary to begin negotiations. The Acting USTR’s March 20, 2013 letter to Congress initiates the 90 day Congressional notification period required before the USTR can formally enter into negotiations with the EU on TTIP.

Additionally, the Office of the USTR is seeking public comment regarding TTIP, including comments on U.S. interests and priorities, and will hold public hearings on May 29-30, 2013. Written comments are due May 10, 2013. Notifications of intent to testify at the hearing, as well as a summary of the intended testimony, are also due May 10, 2013.  

A USTR Fact Sheet regarding the TTIP Negotiations is available here.

For further information, please contact a Barnes/Richardson attorney.