The Transatlantic Free-Trade Imperative

The confirmation of Michael Froman as the US Trade Representative is a fitting moment to highlight the opportunities that an EU-US free-trade agreement would offer Europe, America, and the world. Historically, free trade and economic growth have gone together, and deeper trade integration would strengthen growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

VIENNA – The confirmation of Michael Froman as the US Trade Representative is a fitting moment to highlight the many opportunities that a free-trade agreement between the European Union and the United States would offer Europe, America, and the world.

Today’s three-tier global economy – 6% growth in emerging markets, 2% growth in the US, and no growth in Europe – shows ominous signs of paralysis and nationalistic unilateralism. Many see currency wars looming.

In such an economically insecure global environment, riddled with protectionist booby traps, a free-trade pact between the world’s two largest trading blocs, accounting for roughly 40% of global GDP, has never been more important. Historically, free trade and economic growth have gone together, as have protectionism and stagnation, and deeper trade integration of the US and EU economies would strengthen growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

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