The EU is now China's largest trading partner and China has become the EU's 2nd largest trading partner after the United States. Between 2000 and 2006, EU27 trade in goods with China grew by more than 150 percent, with exports increasing from 26 billion euro to 64 billion and imports from 75 billion to 195 billion.

EU-U.S. Cut Red Tape to Promote Economic Integration

The Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC), a forum established at last April's EU-U.S. Summit to promote economic integration and reduce regulatory barriers across the Atlantic, held its first meeting in Washington, November 9.

"The first meeting of the Transatlantic Economic Council is a milestone that will further strengthen the economic partnership between two economic giants, the European Union and the United States," said European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen. The meeting resulted in a number of agreements, including simplified approval procedures for orphan drugs — drugs intended for treatment of thousands of rare diseases — and convergence towards globally compatible specifications for bio-ethanol and bio-diesel.

EU Steps Up Counterterrorism Capabilities

To improve the EU's capabilities in the fight against terrorism, the European Commission has made a series of proposals, which seek to criminalize terrorist training, recruitment, and public provocation to commit terrorist offenses. The proposals also provide for the collection of airline passenger data in a scheme similar to that put in place by the U.S. after the September 11 attacks.

"We want to provide the best possible tools to our law enforcement authorities to investigate and effectively prosecute terrorist and criminal networks," said European Commission Vice President Franco Frattini. "Terrorism remains a threat to the political foundations of the European Union as well as to the life and well-being of our citizens. None of our fellow citizens is immune from this threat and terrorism may also strike at European citizens and interests abroad."

Peace Talks in Annapolis

Representatives from nearly 50 countries and international organizations gathered in Annapolis, Maryland, this week for the International Conference on the Middle East. The European Commission was represented by External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

Speaking at the Conference, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said that the European Union would continue its financial support to the Palestinians at a high level next year. "We will unveil our plans at the Paris Conference in December, which I will co-chair," she said. "However, let me repeat once again that I wish for more equitable burden sharing with other international donors."

The EU is the largest donor to the Palestinians and to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

Call for Global Fund to Help Poorest Countries Combat Climate Change

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel has called for an innovative fund financed by the world's richest countries to tackle the problems faced by those countries worst hit by the affects of climate change.

Speaking during the 2nd European Development Days in Lisbon before delegates from government development agencies, NGOs and civil society, Commissioner Michel announced his intention to pursue “a global fund, which will provide the huge financial resources which are needed to fight climate change, here and now. The worlds' richest countries would be responsible to pay back the borrowed cash through a new innovative long-term mechanism.” The fund would be managed by international institutions.

European Gun Rules to be Tightened

A proposal aimed at further strengthening gun control in the European Union will ban anyone under 18 years old from purchasing or owning a firearm, and all weapons will be marked to make them easier to trace. Each EU Member State will have to set up a computerized data filing system to maintain data on firearms for a minimum of 20 years.

European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen noted that this will "…provide better protection for European citizens against an uncontrolled circulation of firearms, by beefing up our tracing systems and requirements, notably as regards minors. Recent dramatic events have shown just how necessary it is to have better control over the purchase and circulation of arms."

EU and UEFA Confront Hooliganism

The European Union and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) are teaming up to crack down on soccer violence. Proposals include information-sharing between the police and UEFA on known troublemakers, pan-European training programs for police officers and stadium safety officers, and "coaching" of fans to prevent violence.

"We are all responsible for stopping violence in and outside sports venues," said European Commission Vice President Franco Frattini. "Yes, our work is ambitious but the Commission is willing to support successful, relevant projects and develop cooperation among all the stakeholders. Only by working together will we kick violence out of sport."

UEFA President Michel Platini said the plans would mark “an historic moment in European cooperation against violence in sport.”

EU NewsBrief is an electronic publication issued regularly by the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States. To receive updates on specific issue areas, click on this link.