Update: We are no longer taking registrations for this event, as the room is at capacity.

In May 2015, the European Commission is set to announce its proposal to create an EU Digital Single Market (DSM) to streamline Europe’s Internet economy and boost economic growth. With that in mind, the Atlantic Council is hosting an event headlined by EU Ambassador David O’Sullivan followed by a panel discussion among experts to discuss the future of transatlantic cooperation on the digital economy.

Digital issues have lately been the source of transatlantic discord over privacy, taxation, antitrust, and security policies, among others. These issues must be addressed openly and frankly, seeking joint solutions but agreeing to disagree when necessary. The stakes are too high, in terms of boosting economic growth, protecting shared values, and stimulating innovation, to let the situation drift, especially given different visions of the future of the Internet and of the digital economy in other parts of the world. Put simply, cooperation on digital issues must be seen as a core component of the transatlantic partnership.

Confirmed speakers*: 

• H.E. David O’Sullivan, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States
• Fran Burwell, Vice President and Director, Program on Transatlantic Relations, Atlantic Council
• Marcus Jadotte, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry & Analysis, US Department of Commerce
• Nuala O'Connor, President and CEO, Center for Democracy & Technology
• Daniel M. Price, Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors; Former Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs

Key topics to be addressed include:

• What are the contours of Europe’s Digital Single Market proposal, and how will it impact transatlantic digital commerce?
• The importance of the Internet economy in the United States and the European Union, for technology companies and traditional industry
• Common US-EU digital interests and major points of divergence
• What would a “transatlantic digital single market” look like?
• Barriers and impediments to a potential “transatlantic digital single market,” and pathways to  reduce or avoid them
• Ways to safeguard individual and consumer privacy protections, while reflecting the need to ensure proper trust and security for citizens and businesses
• The strategic nature of a Transatlantic Digital Agenda, given the rapid rise of digital actors in emerging economies along with restrictive Internet policies that limit freedoms in other parts of the world

This conference will mark the launch of a new Atlantic Council project that will explore the importance of creating a transatlantic digital marketplace, the challenges such a task will face, and the economic and strategic opportunities it could bring to both sides of the Atlantic.

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 6 from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the Atlantic Council (1030 15th Street, NW, 12th floor). We hope you can join us.

This event will be open to the press and on the record and will be recorded.