Transatlantic Business Dialogue

The Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) offers a framework for cooperation between the transatlantic business community and the governments of the European Union (EU) and United States of America (US).

Related Topics:
European Union - United States of America

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It is an informal process whereby European and American companies and business associations develop joint EU-US trade policy recommendations, working together with the European Commission and US Administration.

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On a sharper look, it is a coalition of U.S. and European CEOs,

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largely from transnational corporations, launched at the urging

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of former U.S. Commerce Secretary Ron Brown in Seville/Spain in late 1995

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at a conference attended by CEOs from more than 100 U.S. and EU companies

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and by top government representatives led by the Commissioners

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for Trade and Industry and by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

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The major goal of the TABD is to boost transatlantic trade and investment

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through the removal of barriers caused by regulatory differences.

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The TABD is co-chaired by a U.S. and an EU CEO, currently from Citigroup

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and Reuters Group.

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TABD promotes its policy statements and recommendations through formal

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meetings with the EU and US government and parliament people, giving

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the members direct access to high-level talks with the leading figures

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for efficient Lobbying.

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TABD Membership is by invitation only, officially to secure

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a proper geographical representation and a mix of sector activities as well as SME representation.

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TABD has been a key player in shaping the agenda for expansion of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In addition, TABD makes countless smaller suggestions that are geared

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toward removing important worker, consumer and environmental laws and regulations

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which it views as "barriers to trade," and which everyone else views as measures that save lives,

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keep our air and water clean, and protect endangered animals and plants.

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TABD policy issues are driven by TABD members, and working groups are organized where necessary.

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TABD publishes semi-annual reports documenting the government's progress

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on implementing its current demands and listing future ones.

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It's latest achievement has been the review and successive restart of the Lisbon Agenda

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as an economic-only agenda with the social and environmental agendas removed.

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