BRUSSELS, Belgium – The European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the United States will travel to the US capital from Wednesday to Friday for talks with representatives of the US Congress.
The visit by MEPs takes place against the backdrop of US president Donald Trump’s recent announcement of sweeping tariffs on global trade partners. In Washington DC, the delegation, led by Brando Benifei (S&D, Italy), will meet primarily with representatives of the US Congress, in part to prepare for the next Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue (TLD), a forum of leading lawmakers designed to strengthen relations between the European Parliament and Congress.
US and China
On Thursday, MEPs will meet with members of the US House committee dealing with strategic competition between the US and China, and with the new leadership of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and members of the House EU Caucus.
Discussions are expected to centre on developments in Europe, not least in relation to Ukraine, as well as on bilateral trade, EU-NATO cooperation, the future of transatlantic ties, and relations with China. On Thursday and Friday, MEPs will hold meetings with US State Department representatives, as well as with think tanks and representatives of the US Chamber of Commerce.
The MEPs taking part in the delegation are members of the Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue enlarged bureau.
In addition to Benifei, the delegation will comprise: European Parliament Vice-President Sophie Wilmès (Renew Europe, Belgium), Foreign Affairs Committee Chair David McAllister (EPP, Germany), International Trade Committee Chair Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany) and Foreign Affairs Committee standing rapporteur for the US Michał Szczerba (EPP, Poland).
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the International Trade Committee adopted revised rules for screening foreign investments in the EU.
Under the new rules, more sectors, such as media services, critical raw materials and transport infrastructure, will be subject to mandatory screening by Member States, in order to identify and address foreign investment-related security or public order risks. The procedures applicable to national screening mechanisms will also be harmonised and the Commission will have the power to intervene on its own initiative or where there are disagreements between Member States about potential security or public order risks emanating from a specific foreign investment.
If the screening authority finds that the planned foreign investment project is likely to have a negative effect on security or public order, it will either have to authorise the project subject to mitigating measures, or prohibit it.
The proposal was adopted by 31 votes in favour, seven against and with three abstentions.
Parliament’s rapporteur Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D, FR) said:
“I am pleased that a strong pro-European majority has adopted an ambitious reform of the EU’s foreign investment screening mechanism. This reform will establish a more predictable system that ensures foreign investments do not compromise our security. Investors will benefit from greater clarity on procedures, while a harmonised scope and a reinforced role for the Commission will help ensure consistency across the Union.”
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