Washington, DC – Today, Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) issued the following statements after the President sent the formal notification letter to Congress of his intent to launch negotiations for a comprehensive trade and investment agreement with the European Union.

Chairman Camp:  “A robust trade agenda means better paying jobs for American workers.  I am a strong supporter of a comprehensive and ambitious trade and investment agreement with the EU and welcome the President’s formal notification.  I look forward to consulting closely with the Administration about how to address tariff, non-tariff, and regulatory barriers to U.S. exports and investment.  

“To fully realize the potential benefits of a transatlantic agreement, we will have to tackle many difficult behind-the-border barriers.  Tackling these barriers requires the Administration to engage with Congress to establish clear and effective negotiating objectives, and therefore I welcome the Administration’s announcement that it intends to begin discussions with Congress to develop bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority.”

Trade Subcommittee Chairman Nunes:  “An ambitious transatlantic trade agreement with the European Union would solidify a dominant economic alliance focused on free trade and open markets, serving as an influential model for other nations.  I look forward to consulting with the Administration over the coming months.  I will particularly focus on how the Administration plans to resolve long-standing barriers to our agriculture exports, including Europe’s opaque and inefficient agriculture regulatory system and its failure to use sound science-based standards.”