Ways and Means GOP Encouraged by Meeting with EU Trade Commissioner
Brady Insists on Agriculture in Trade Negotiations, End to French Discriminatory Tax on US Companies and Airbus Subsidies, and Meaningful WTO Reform
Washington, D.C. – Today, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady (R-TX) released the following statement after Republican Members of the Committee met with EU Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan:
“In our candid and productive meeting, Ways and Means Republicans were encouraged by Commissioner Hogan’s belief that we share common goals on China, WTO reform, the Airbus dispute, and solutions to the taxation of digital services.
“Republicans emphasized that we seek to strengthen our longstanding relationship with the EU through a comprehensive trade agreement that includes agriculture. Republicans also stood firm in insisting that France end its discriminatory digital services tax on U.S. companies and that the EU terminate its subsidies of Airbus. We also urged the Commissioner to work with us to strengthen the WTO and its dispute settlement process against distorting and unfair practices, particularly by China.
“I commend the Commissioner for making Washington his first overseas trip in office, and I am hopeful that with President Trump’s leadership, we will work well with the EU to strengthen our relationship.”