U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2008)

The White House

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 10, 2008

Transatlantic Economic Council Report to the EU-U.S. Summit 2008

Review of progress under the framework for advancing transatlantic economic integration between the European Union and the United States of America

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1.2. Lighthouse Priority Projects

The European Commission and U.S. government have pursued work on the priority issues for transatlantic economic integration identified at the April 2007 Summit (the so-called "Lighthouse projects"), and the TEC has achieved progress on a number of them.

1.2.1. Intellectual Property Rights

The EU-U.S. cooperation on IP enforcement has been a success story. In the past year, the activities have focussed in particular on joint enforcement efforts at the WTO and in third countries, in particular in China and Russia; joint organisation of seminars in Russia (digital piracy), in Latin America and in ASEAN countries; and development of IP networks of EU and U.S. diplomats in third countries, starting with Russia and China. Closer customs co-operation, including joint border enforcement actions, has been an area of particular attention this year, namely the first joint customs cooperation project (Operation INFRASTRUCTURE) was a success. In addition, the United States and the European Union are working together and with other trading partners to negotiate a strong Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, which they will seek to conclude by the end of 2008.

Further, the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the European Commission have agreed to a roadmap to advance global patent harmonization. During the remainder of 2008, they will elaborate on the roadmap to identify implementation options and engage in consultations with stakeholders.

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