The Honorable Meglena Kuneva, European Commissioner for Consumer Protection presented the Commission’s recently completed Review of Consumer Protection Law, which seeks to strengthen, modernize and harmonize consumer protection regulations within the member states of European Union. She emphasized the importance of enforcement of consumer laws and the need for stronger discipline within the EU member-states regarding consumer policy. She was optimistic regarding the EU-U.S. consumer relationship, as both share the same goals and priorities. The high level of transparency between the U.S. and EU is good for the international economy. Lydia Parnes, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission concurred and noted that the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) is a good forum for the U.S. and EU to share information and to further collaboration efforts. The discussion was moderated by Raymond Calamaro, a partner at Hogan & Hartson LLP, in whose offices the meeting was held.

In the coming weeks, massive briefs will be exchanged in the World Trade Organization in the opening battle of the legal equivalent of a religious war. The governments of the United States and of the European Union each claim that the other has long given improper government support to its national champion aircraft-maker. As with wars over ideology and abstract principle, the conflict will result in great costs to the combatants and to innocent parties; and the result will be inconclusive. Ancient grudges that gave rise to the battle will be largely unrelated to the practical measures that the parties might be taking to enhance their interests.

 

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