The New York Times Quotes Clete Willems on US-EU Trade Relations

Akin Gump public law and policy partner Clete Willems has been quoted by The New York Times in the article “New E.U. Trade Chief on a Quest to Fix Relations With U.S.” The article reports on a visit to Washington by Europe’s new trade commissioner, Phil Hogan, and his efforts to mend ties between the United States and the European Union.

The Times notes that Hogan is seeking to repair the world’s largest trade partnership, where relations have deteriorated amid back-and-forth threats of tariffs. The United States, the article says, is upset about France’s plans to tax U.S. technology companies, and is threatening tariffs of its own that would double the price of imported French wine.

“When sides take unilateral actions that harm the other side, that are inconsistent with international norms, the other side has a right to be angry,” said Willems. “That’s where we are with the E.U. now.”