Today, on the occasion of the presentation of the programme of the Maltese presidency to the European Parliament, Jean-Claude Juncker congratulated Antonio Tajani, a "convinced European", upon his election as President of the European Parliament. In an address to the European Parliament, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker "warmly" congratulated Antonio Tajani, a former Vice-president of the European Commission, upon his election as President of the European Parliament. He praised the "know-how" of the newly elected President, and at the same...

The U.S. Department of Commerce today released a report proposing steps the Department can take to advance the Internet of Things (IoT). The “green paper” examines the benefits and challenges of the evolving IoT landscape and suggests that the U.S. government should continue to foster an enabling environment for innovative technology to grow and thrive. “The Internet of Things promises to revolutionize our world from increasing efficiency and convenience for industry, consumers, and government to improving safety,” U.S. Commerce Secretary...

Prime Minister Theresa May set out the Plan for Britain, including the 12 priorities that the UK government will use to negotiate Brexit. A little over 6 months ago, the British people voted for change. They voted to shape a brighter future for our country. They voted to leave the European Union and embrace the world. And they did so with their eyes open: accepting that the road ahead will be uncertain at times, but believing that it leads towards a brighter future...

Introduction The Department of Commerce (the Department) sits at the intersection of all business and economic issues, both domestically and abroad. A single mission unites our 12 bureaus and 46,000 employees: to help create the conditions for economic growth, job creation, and opportunity across the United States. The Department helps American companies prosper in the global economy. We issue patents and trademarks, as well as licenses to sell sensitive technologies abroad. We collect and provide data on demographics, the economy, and...

Thank you for that kind introduction.  Good morning and Happy New Year to you all. It’s great to be here at WITA. I’ve always wondered what the trade prom would look like when they turned on the lights.  Let me begin with some words from Winston Churchill, who admitted, “I am an optimist.  It does not seem too much use being anything else.”  Anyone who knows me knows that I too am an eternal optimist.  As a trade negotiator, optimism is...

Antonio Tajani (EPP, IT) won Parliament’s presidential election with 351 votes in a final face-off with Gianni Pittella (S&D, IT), who secured 282 votes. Outcome of the fourth ballot Antonio Tajani (EPP, IT) 351 Gianni Pittella (S&D, IT) 282 Valid votes cast: 633 Abstentions: 80 Total votes cast: 713 No candidate won the required absolute majority of valid votes cast in the first three rounds of voting in Parliament’s presidential election on Tuesday. Outcome of the third ballot Antonio Tajani (EPP, IT) 291 (+4) Gianni...

Today the IMF released an update to the World Economic Outlook. An accumulation of recent data suggests that the global economic landscape started to shift in the second half of 2016. Developments since last summer indicate somewhat greater growth momentum coming into the new year in a number of important economies. Our earlier projection, that world growth will pick up from last year’s lackluster pace in 2017 and 2018, therefore looks increasingly likely to be realized. At the same time, we...