Trade With The European Union
Recent Trends and Electronic Commerce Issues Gao ID: T-NSIAD-00-46 October 13, 1999The sizeable and growing trade relationship between the United States and the European Union (EU) is dominated by flows of sophisticated manufactured goods and services and extensive cross-Atlantic investment. E-commerce has tremendous potential to facilitate trade between the United States and the EU, but it also raises many issues, including consumer protection and market access. The United States and the EU are trying to lower these potential barriers to e-commerce through the framework of the World Trade Organization and other forums.
GAO noted that: (1) the sizeable and growing U.S.-EU trade relationship is dominated by flows of sophisticated manufactured goods and services and extensive cross-Atlantic investment; (2) e-commerce has tremendous potential for facilitating U.S.-EU trade, but it also raises numerous issues, including consumer protection and market access; and (3) the United States and EU are attempting to lower these potential barriers to e-commerce through the framework of the World Trade Organization and other forums.