Tobias Ellwood, UK MP and Parliamentary Private Secretary to the UK Minister of Europe.

ASP welcomed member of the UK parliament Tobias Ellwood for a discussion on the UK in the EU and the Future of Transatlantic Cooperation earlier today. BGen. Stephen Cheney, ASP’s CEO, joined the panel along with its COO, Paul Hamill.

Mr. Ellwood is also the parliamentary private secretary to the UK Minister for Europe. Among the topics discussed was the UK’s relationship with Europe and its strong commitment to the alliance. In late 2012, British Prime Minister David Cameron’s call for more transparency and accountability within the EU reflected the UK’s interest in strengthening the union and working alongside other members to achieve that goal.

While some within the UK call for a bigger focus on trade with emerging markets, represented by the BRICS countries, this relationship is still in its infancy. Currently, UK trade with Ireland is bigger than the one with all the BRICS countries combined. As new markets emerge, it is critical for the US and the UK, both mature markets, to strengthen transatlantic cooperation.

Representing 25% of the world’s GDP, the European Union is an important US collaborator. US-EU relations should be strengthened with the upcoming trade agreement that is being negotiated. The partnership will be the largest free-trade agreement in history.

The UK also has an interest in expanding EU’s market, viewed as one of the union’s major advantages. The international community should expect Britain to preserve its leading role as the EU moves forward and deals with key economic and political issues.

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