Activities of Reinhard BÜTIKOFER related to 2021/2038(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
The future of EU-US relations (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the future of EU-US relations
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the future of EU-US relations
Amendments (42)
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Identifies trade policy as a strategic geopolitical tool for the transatlantic agenda; highlights the need to identify joint actions based on shared interests and values in order to contribute to a global sustainable and inclusive economic recovery and in particular a coordinated stance vis-à-vis Russia and China, as well as common initiatives as regards the provisions of global public goods; stresses that ‘workers and wages’ ands well as more resilient, sustainable and responsible supply chains should be at the core of such an agenda; supports the approach for partnership in leadership with the US, focussed on the pursuit of shared interests and on greening trade; seeks enhanced transatlantic parliamentary cooperation on these issues;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls for coordinated efforts to achieve ambitious commitments at the UN summits on climate change (COP 26) and biodiversity in 2021;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU and the US share core values such as democracy, rule of law, and human rights, and have therefore a fundamental common interest in shaping the international environment, in particular the promotion of a rules- based international order;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises at the same time that some diverging interests remain; in this regard, urges both sides to resolve bilateral disputes; reiterates the EU’s ambition to eliminate tariffs for industrial goods between the EU and the US; urges the US to remove unilateral trade measures and refrain from taking further ones; urges the removal of section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium; calls for a rapid and lasting solution on aircraft subsidies;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for enhanced cooperation on WTO reform, including reinstating as soon as possible the appellate body, regulatinge trade in health products, setting an ambitious environmental agenda, and agreeing on concrete deliverables for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (agree on a TRIPS waiver for the Prevention, Containment, and Treatment of COVID-19 as a part of an overarching multilateral framework for securing a fair and global access to essential medical products for addressing the ongoing and future pandemics, set an ambitious environmental agenda by working on common proposals, inter alia, on environmental goods, disciplines on subsidies and the phasing-out of fossil fuels’ subsidies, agree on concrete deliverables for MC12); encourages both sides to stick to multilateral agreements;
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes the announcement of the Biden administration to support a temporary TRIPS waiver of patent rights for COVID-19 vaccines and urges the EU to join with the aim of starting as soon as possible text-based negotiations at the TRIPS Council level and achieving an agreement by MC 12; underlines, that, in addition to a TRIPS waiver, the US and the EU need to urgently provide joint endeavours in order to increase and fast- track worldwide access to COVID-19 vaccines, secure the required technology transfers and improve preparedness to future health global emergencies;
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Advocates a joint strategic approach towards China, addressing cooperation within multilateral frameworks on common challenges, such as climate change but also addressing the roots of unfair trade practices and, tackling unfair industrial subsidies, state-owned enterprises and human rights concern in particular as regards SOEs and including in such joint strategy the respect of human rights also in the operation of international businesses;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas, whilein pursuing transatlantic cooperation in areas of shared interest, the EU should also foster its strategic autonomy in, the EU should strive for partnership in leadership with the US, focussed on the pursuit of shared interest, the EU should also foster its ability to decide and act autonomously if needed in foreign affairs, security, defence and economictrade relations;
Amendment 67 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Expresses its firm belief that the EU and the US should strengthen transatlantic cooperation on rules-based multilateralism and on sustainable connectivity as a response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative; hopes for future cooperation with particular regard to upholding high quality standards for connectivity projects and fostering private sector involvement;
Amendment 74 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. While promoting dialogue and common actionEmphasizes the need to strengthen the EU’s autonomous economic measures; while welcoming transatlantic cooperation with regard to investment screening, banning the importation of products of forced labour, promoting human rights due diligence and addressing WTO-incompatible subsidies, calls on the Commission to assertively promote the EU’s interests and react to US unwarranted duties, extraterritorial sanctions and market barriers; asks the US to ensure that public procurement procedures are transparent, open and predictable based on the principle of equal treatment;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas both the EU and the US share a number of new common challenges such as the socio-economic impact of the pandemic, the promotion of global health, the climate emergency, the fight against global criminal networks, andpushback against a global wave of authoritarianism; the fight against global criminal networks, making gender equality and anti-discrimination a reality, addressing the increasing division between metropolitan and rural areas and pursuing the digital and green transformation as a means of sustainable modernisation;
Amendment 87 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Encourages both sides to find a framework for joint action and look for selective agreements; calls for a stronger regulatory, green and digital partnership through the Trade and Technology Council and a coordinated approach to critical technologies and international standardisation, a carbon border adjustment mechanism ands well as digital and global taxes.; welcomes in particular the recent proposals from the US administration on a global corporate tax agreement and in particular on a minimum tax on corporate profits; asks the EU to support a high level of ambition as regards the minimum tax rate as initially proposed by the Biden administration;
Amendment 95 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Urges the Commission to foster transparency in the framework of any future cooperation with the United States; points out that any proposal sent to the United States should be published; is of the opinion that agendas, minutes and lists of participants to the meetings of the different regulatory dialogues should also be disclosed; calls in that context for an active involvement of the European Parliament and for a reinforcement of the transatlantic legislators’ dialogue;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the adoption of the new proposal of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for an EU-US agenda for global change in December 2020 as a blueprint for a renewed transatlantic partnership; deplores that CAI has been concluded in a rushed procedure just before the end of 2020 without taking the new opportunities for geopolitical cooperation between the US and Europe duly into account;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) to reassert the continued relevance of the strategic transatlantic relationship for the rebuilding and reinvigorating of the multilateral rules- based international order, the global strengthening of democratic values, and the promotion of human rights, sustainable development and inclusive growth and a coordinated position vis-à-vis Russia and China and a common offer of investing into global infrastructure initiatives in line with the EU’s connectivity strategy;;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for a new transatlantic agenda that privileges multilateral cooperation for a more equitable and healthier world, the fight against climate change, promotion of peaceful resolution of conflicts, arms control, disarmament, fight against racism, intends to foster also subnational dialogues and cooperation as for instance the “Under 2 MOU”, and reform of economic governance, by putting the fight against inequalities and ecological transformation at its centre;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for strengthened interparliamentary cooperation between Members of the European Parliament and Members of Congress in different thematic areas that could enable the exchange of best practices on global, but also on shared, domestic challenges, such as addressing economic and social inequality, protection of human rights and democratic standards, universal health coverage, legislative convergence on human-centred AI, responsibility of online platforms and a just transition towards climate neutrality;
Amendment 150 #
Restorinventing multilateralism
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises that the announced return of the US to rules-based multilateralism provides an opportunity to re-engage with the US in repairing and rebuilding the transatlantic relationship and strengthening together the global rules- based order in the spirit of our shared democratic values; emphasises also the need to include countries from the Global South in these efforts; stresses the need to closely cooperate and coordinate within the UN system, its agencies, organisations and missions, including with regard to staffing of leading positions;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Urges the stepping up of joint EU- US efforts on climate change, greening trade, green technology, carbon border adjustment, sustainable finance and biodiversity;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for transatlantic leadership on health diplomacy, notably the reform of the World Health Organization and equitable global distribution of the COVID- 19 vaccines, tests and treatments, in particular in lower-income countries, while safeguarding the vaccines as a global public good; welcomes the announcement of the Biden administration to support a temporary lifting of patent rights for COVID-19 vaccines and urges the EU to join; insists on fostering cooperation to establish better procedures for preparing for future pandemics, including through complementarydiversified supply chains;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the USA re-joining the Paris Agreement; Calls for coordinated efforts to achieve ambitious commitments at the UN summits on climate change (COP 26)and biodiversity in 2021;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Finds it necessary to work together with the US on strengthening the multilateral trading system and reforming the World Trade Organization; proposes to focus immediately on the restoration of the WTO appellate body;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the Biden administration’s announced commitment to re-engage with the UN Human Rights Council, signalling the US’s renewed intention to promote human rights globally hoping to strengthen efforts towards upholding human rights globally and to prevent an authoritarian redefinition of human rights as a state-centred concept; ;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Encourages the US to join the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal CourtWelcomes the lifting by the Biden administration of the US sanctions on top officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC); calls on the US to join the Rome Statute establishing the ICC and to engage constructively with the Court in its ongoing investigations and legal proceedings;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Encourages the US to move towards the abolition ofHolds that the US should abolish the death penalty, the and reform of theits criminal justice system, including through addressing systemic racism, and the end of all discrimination against LGBTQI persons; urges dialogue and exchange of best practices between the EU and US on promoting racial and gender equality;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Strongly condemns all forms of racism, hate and violence, as well as any discrimination based on gender, sex, race, sexuality, class, caste, religion, disability, physical appearance, or age; recalls that there is no place for racism and discrimination in our societies; calls on the EU and the US to take decisive steps to address systemic racism, as reflected in police violence that disproportionately targets ethnic and racial minorities, and entrenched inequalities that fuel legitimate peaceful protests;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Acknowledges that the EU and the US are working on improving gender equality and women’s rights, but insists that increased efforts are needed, including on equal representation at all levels of political, societal and economic life, equal pay, labour force participation, gender-based violence, and sexual and reproductive health and rights, among others;
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Welcomes progress in improving rights for LGBTQI+ persons, such as the recent decision to reverse a policy that led to their effective discrimination in healthcare in the US; emphasises the need for the EU and the US to end of all discrimination against LGBTQI persons;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Encourages the Biden administration to swiftly carry out its announced plans to close the Guantanamo detention facility; regrets that close to 20 years after the establishment of the facility, 40 prisoners remain detained, including five who were cleared for release under the Obama administration; calls on the EU and its Member States to offer their assistance to facilitate the process;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Supports a rebalancing of the responsibilities in the transatlanticUnderlines the importance of close cooperation, solidarity and burden sharing between the US and European members within NATO; stresses that EU- NATO cooperation is based on 74 commonly agreed actions in specurity relationship by fostering greater self-reliance for EU Member States in matters of defence as a way to lessen the burden on the USific areas; reminds that both organisations have different tasks and priorities, NATO being in charge of collective territorial defence of its members, and the EU aiming for military crisis management abroad; stresses that more in-depth cooperation, pooling and sharing and an efficient and transparent European defence sector strengthens also capabilities available for NATO;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Promotes setting up processes of foreign policy coordination between the US, EU and UK; calls on the US and EU to intensify values-based cooperation on Turkey;
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers it necessary to foster cooperation not only on traditional security threats, but also on new ones such as malign interference, hostile foreign technological dominance, hybrid threats, disinformation and cybersecurity; stresses the need for a common approach as regards banning lethal autonomous weapons, regulating autonomy of weapons systems at global level, and for restricting the export and proliferation of cyber tools, mass surveillance technology; underlines that global arms control needs to be updated to be able to face 21st century cyber and AI challenges;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Supports the creationdeepening of the EUuropean-US Security and Defence Dialogue within NATO and calls on the VP/HR to launch it as soon as possiblepromote that effectively;
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Supports the creation of the EU- US Trade and Technology Council and calls on the US to engage in creating the necessary structures;
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses the common need to defendre- invigorate global democracy against rising authoritarianism, as being promoted by both Russia and China, but also within the transatlantic community, by, inter alia, fostering inclusive social and economic policies that address the root causes of inequalities and fighting extreme nationalistracism of any shade views that provide a fertile ground for far-rightextremists movements to thrive;
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. SupportWelcomes the proposal of President Biden to hold a Summit for Democracy with like-minded democraciesand emphasises the need to demonstrate solidarity between democracies when they are under pressure;
Amendment 336 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes that the EU should engage more with the US in the Western Balkans and eastern Europe in order to build resilient, prosperous, democratic multi- ethnic societies there, capable of resisting the disruptive influence of both local and external authoritarian forces; calls for strong EU leadership and an effective coordination with the US in order to push back against ethno-nationalist initiatives aiming at redrawing borders, and similar sub-national initiatives to deepen ethnic divide and segregation; stresses the importance of close EU-US cooperation and coordination on fighting state capture, corruption, organised crime, foreign interference, and attacks on media freedom, and promoting the rule of law, in depth-reforms, good neighbourly relations, and reconciliation, and the objective of Euro-Atlantic integration;
Amendment 353 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for a comprehensive EU-US dialogue on China that should address the areas of divergence, such as the Comprehensive Agreement on Investments, and explore possibilities forbased on the triad definition of China as a competitor, a partner and a systemic rival; calls for overcoming wherever possible divergences between transatlantic partners for instance on trade and advocates seeking EU-US cooperation with China in multilateral frameworks on common challenges, such as climate change; emphasises the need for a strong parliamentary dimension of this dialogue;
Amendment 363 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Underscores the need to explore areas of convergence and possible cooperation with the US on China, notably regarding the protection of human and minority rights, de-escalation of tensions in South-and East Asia,China Seas and across the Taiwan Straits; emphasises the relevance of UNCLOS as a legal basis for resolving conflicts; reiterates its support for shared connectivity initiatives; calls for coordination of actions in the Indo- Pacific region,; recalls the need for cooperation in setting technological standards, protecting intellectual property rights and the fight against disinformation; supports closer coordination on these and other issues of common concern;
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for close cooperation to work towards a common plan of engagement with the Russian Federation and to jointly address the range of threats emanating from the Russian Federationcountry, such as the continued destabilisation of Ukraine and Georgia, interferences in democratic processes in the EU and the US, hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns, while at the same pursuing selective cooperation in the areas of shared transatlantic interest, notably in the area of arms control;
Amendment 391 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls for US-EU cooperation and coordination vis-à-vis the African continent, its different regions and countries; stresses the urgent need for a strong and fair partnership between the US, EU and Africa taking into account the challenge of climate change and the collapse of biodiversity, sustainable socio- economic development, fair and sustainable trade supportive of the realisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), education, the rule-of-law, democracy promotion and the strengthening of human rights and civil society; believes that any security assistance should be based on the human security approach and needs of local populations, fully comply with international law and include strong accountability and democratic and parliamentary oversight mechanisms;