The U.S.-EU Free Trade Agreement Negotiations: An Overview

This summer, the United States and  European Union launched ambitious negotiations with the aim of creating a U.S.–EU free trade bloc, called the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP). If successful, the agreement would be the most meaningful free trade arrangement ever negotiated for retail and apparel brands, permitting duty-free access for apparel into the world’s two biggest markets. 

There are, however, a lot of questions. Will these negotiations conclude any time soon? Will this agreement between two developed economies be the first to include flexible, commercially meaningful rules of origin for apparel? Will non-apparel issues, such as data protection and agriculture, scupper the talks?

Please join USA-ITA Washington Counsel David Spooner, the former U.S. textile and apparel trade negotiator in the George W. Bush Administration, and Robert MacLean, a trade practitioner from Squire Sanders’ Brussels office with decades of experience before the European Commission, for a unique U.S.-EU perspective on the negotiations, the sensitivities, and the likelihood of success.

We also invite you to join us from 12:30-3:00 PM for a workshop on hiring and keeping trade compliance talent. Both events are free for registered attendees for the 25th Annual Textile & Apparel Importer Trade & Transportation Conference on November 6th, but you must register separately.