TRADE in ACTION – March 17, 2017

While President Trump hosts Chancellor Merkel at the White House today, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin talked trade and economy with his German and British counterparts, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond earlier this week. While President Trump released his first budget proposal this week, the European Union focused on the Dutch elections. 
Starting today, finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20 meet in the German town of Baden-Baden. Main topics to be discussed.

 

SPOTLIGHT
Why is the European Economic Future Important to the United States? 
“The report is remarkable.  It provides a refreshing view on the main European issue: i.e. how to unlock its economy and rekindle growth” 
Jacques de Larosière, Former Managing Director of the IMF, Governor of the Bank of France, and President of the EBRD.
tweet of the week 1 March 17 2017

With the 60th anniversary of the European Union just around the corner, the Atlantic Council is celebrating the launch of the EuroGrowth Initiative report, Charting the Future Now: European Economic Growth and Its Importance to American Prosperity. The report demonstrates why American economic fortunes are closely linked to European economic growth, providing concrete steps for the short, medium, and long term to revive European growth. Interested in hearing about the key messages of the report? Check out this live interview with Andrea Montanino, report rapporteur.

TRADE
News: Trump’s Trade Ethos to be Challenged at G20 Talks, Flemming, Donnan & Jones, Financial Times
News: US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Moves to Ease Trade Fears, Derek Scully, Irish Times
News: Trump’s Trade Pick Delivers Assurances to Senate, Jessica Holzer, Foreign Policy
Report: Europe to Tell G20 It Will Resist Protectionism, Reuters
New FTA: Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) Approved, Government of Canada
News: EU and ASEAN Gear up for Possible Re-launch of Trade Talks, European Commission
Analysis: TPP11 Power Rankings: The Players, and the Possibilities, in a Reborn TPP, Canada West Foundation
Opinion: The Folly of Donald Trump’s Bilateralism in Global Trade, Martin Wolf, Financial Times
Opinion: For Trade, Think Near, Think Big but Mostly Think China, Jim O’Neill, Euronews
Report: Is the US Starting a Regulatory Competition with the EU? Markus Demary, IW Köln
News: Trump Federal Budget 2018: Massive Cuts to the Arts, Science and the Poor, Paletta & Mufson, The Washington Post
News: China to Trump: We don’t want a Trade War — but if there is one, you’d lose, Simon Denyer, The Washington Post

TWEET/FACTOID OF THE WEEK
tweet of the week 2 March 17
For a critical take on the issue, read this editorial from Bloomberg “Little to Celebrate in the Dutch elections“. For a critical take on the issue, read this editorial from Bloomberg “Little to Celebrate in the Dutch elections“.

GLOBALIZATION
Opinon: Germany, the G20, and Inclusive Globalization, Wolfgang Schäuble, Project Syndicate
News: China Supports Globalisation, Free Trade, Premier Li says, Woo & Yao, Reuters
Blog:Evolving Shapes of Democracy and Globalization in Practice, Homi Kharas, Brookings
Opinion: Future Development Reads: Evolving Shapes of Democracy and Globalization in Practice, Homi Kharas, Brookings
Analysis: The Retreat of Globalisation Threatens the Dutch Economy, The Economist

WHAT WE ARE READING
Opinon: Germany, the G20, and Inclusive Globalization, Wolfgang Schäuble, Project Syndicate
News: China Supports Globalisation, Free Trade, Premier Li says, Woo & Yao, Reuters
Blog:Evolving Shapes of Democracy and Globalization in Practice, Homi Kharas, Brookings
Opinion: Future Development Reads: Evolving Shapes of Democracy and Globalization in Practice, Homi Kharas, Brookings
Analysis: The Retreat of Globalisation Threatens the Dutch Economy, The Economist

UPCOMING
MEETINGS
March 15-19: Secretary of State Tillerson visits Japan, South Korea, and China
March 17: Angela Merkel meets with President Trump to discuss Trade in addition to other current issues
March 17: Start of G20 Meetings in Germany 
March 19-21: Cecilia Malmström visits Canada to meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade François-Philippe Champagne, and to Deliver a Speech at Canada 2020
March 22: Cecilia Malmström Meets with the Board of Association of European Businesses
March 23: Cecilia Malmström Makes an Official Visit to Portugal
March 23: Cecilia Malmström Speech at the German Marshall Fund 12th Brussels Forum

EVENTS
March 21: Ensuring Security, Stability and Economic Growth: The Hungarian Recipe in a Changing Europe, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET (Live Streamed), The Heritage Foundation Allison Auditorium (214 Massachusetts Ave NE Washington, DC 20002)
March 23: Expanding the Benefits of North American Energy Trade, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET, Bipartisan Policy Center (1225 Eye Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20005)
March 23: Longer-Term Implications of Brexit, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET, PIIE Webcast, Washington, DC
April 3: A Conversation with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., (Live Stream Only)

Your Newsletter Team:
Marie Kasperek, Associate Director, Global Business & Economics, Atlantic Council
John Butler, Program Intern

Please send us suggested news stories, opinion pieces, publications, and upcoming events that you would like us to highlight! Email mkasperek@AtlanticCouncil.org with your ideas and suggestions.
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