US Labor Department, US Trade Representative will participate in trans-Atlantic tripartite Trade and Labor Dialogue with unions, businesses

WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Labor and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will participate in the trans-Atlantic tripartite Trade and Labor Dialogue, which was announced at the U.S.-European Union Trade and Technology Council Ministerial meeting in Paris on May 15-16, 2022. The dialogue will join trade unions, businesses and governments in the U.S. and Europe to discuss trade and labor issues.

“The Trade and Labor Dialogue will elevate workers’ voices in our cooperative trade and labor efforts with the European Union,” explained Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee. “An inclusive dialogue will create innovative opportunities for transatlantic cooperation aimed at strengthening and protecting labor rights globally. We welcome stakeholders’ ideas and perspective and look forward to the dialogue’s first meeting.”

The dialogue will convene at least once annually to discuss issues of mutual interest. These issues include a fair transition for workers and businesses towards a sustainable, green economy and the impact of digital trade on U.S. and EU workforces. Technical experts from government, labor unions and businesses will engage during periods between the principal-level meetings.

“By bringing stakeholders with diverse views together and hearing directly from them, this new tripartite dialogue will be an important step forward in continuing to implement a worker-centered trade policy,” said Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Labor Joshua Kagan. “Utilizing this dialogue to promote internationally recognized labor rights is a top priority for us, and we look forward to the opportunities this dialogue will create to deepen transatlantic engagement on issues important to workers.”

Read the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council’s joint statement.

Read the White House’s May 16, 2022, fact sheet on the TTC ministerial meeting’s outcome.