Hatch Statement on White House Formal Notification to Congress on Launch of U.S.-EU Trade Talks

WASHINGTON – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) issued the following statement after the Obama Administration formally notified Congress of its intent to launch negotiations on a comprehensive trade and investment agreement with the European Union (EU):

“A robust, high-standard trade agreement with the European Union holds tremendous promise for American workers, businesses, farmers and ranchers.  Given our past negotiations with the European Union, there are real challenges ahead.  But I’m confident that if we can secure an agreement that provides real market access, meaningful regulatory harmonization and reflects the highest standards of intellectual property rights protection, it will gain significant support from Congress. The opportunity before us is real. I hope the Administration can deliver on this opportunity. I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues in further developing the negotiating objectives for this agreement and advancing legislation to renew Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).”

NOTE: A longtime advocate of breaking down trade barriers, Hatch has long supported initiatives to enhance America’s competitiveness and increase access to new international markets. Last month, Hatch joined Chairman Baucus in a letter outlining their priorities to then-U.S. Trade Rep. Ron Kirk for a potential free trade agreement (FTA) between the U.S. and EU. The Senators further called on the Administration to renew TPA to ensure the consideration and completion of a successful U.S.-EU FTA.

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