Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LONDON2688
2008-10-24 14:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy London
Cable title:
Lord Kerr on the U.S. - EU Transatlantic Dialogue
how-toVZCZCXRO3474 RR RUEHBL RUEHED DE RUEHLO #2688 2981422 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 241422Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY LONDON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0197 INFO RUEHED/AMCONSUL EDINBURGH 1008 RUEHBL/AMCONSUL BELFAST 1149 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUENMEM/EU MEMBER STATES RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS LONDON 002688
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN EAIR MARR ETRD PINR EU UK
SUBJECT: Lord Kerr on the U.S. - EU Transatlantic Dialogue
UNCLAS LONDON 002688
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN EAIR MARR ETRD PINR EU UK
SUBJECT: Lord Kerr on the U.S. - EU Transatlantic Dialogue
1. (SBU) Lord John Kerr, Deputy Chairman, Royal Dutch Shell,
Advisory Council Member of Business for New Europe (BNE),and former
UK Ambassador to the U.S. shared views on the changing nature of the
transatlantic dialogue and climate change at a recent BNE-sponsored
event.
Transatlantic Dialogue
--------------
2. (SBU) Lord Kerr said the likely recession in the U.S. could mean
protectionist pressures would increase. One impact could be on the
pending Senate ratification of the U.S.-UK Defense Trade Cooperation
Treaty (DTCT),which was signed in June 2007. Kerr asserted that
the DTCT may have a tough time getting ratified in what he
characterized as a more protectionist atmosphere. Likewise, the
"open skies" civil aviation negotiations may be in for similar
scrutiny and difficulty, according to Kerr.
3. (SBU) Kerr said that in the recent financial crisis, the U.S.
has not looked to the EU as if it were "in charge." As a result,
Kerr said successful engagement with the EU now requires that the
U.S. view the EU as an equal partner. He added that in the
transatlantic dialogue the U.S. will increasingly be faced with the
"collective EU position on issues." Kerr highlighted the October 18
Camp David meeting where Presidents Bush, Sarkozy and Barrosso
exchanged views on the need for a coordinated global response to the
economic crisis as an example of the changed nature of the
relationship between the U.S. and EU.
Climate Change
--------------
4. (SBU) "The U.S. will not sign up for Kyoto" said Kerr. He also
expressed doubt that the U.S. would follow the 2020 climate change
targets for the EU. In his opinion, the political reality in the
U.S. is that any discussion of climate change [targets and
commitments] requires equality of treatment with China.
Politically, no U.S. Member of Congress could support an
international agreement on climate change that appeared to give
China preferential treatment over the U.S, he said.
LEBARON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN EAIR MARR ETRD PINR EU UK
SUBJECT: Lord Kerr on the U.S. - EU Transatlantic Dialogue
1. (SBU) Lord John Kerr, Deputy Chairman, Royal Dutch Shell,
Advisory Council Member of Business for New Europe (BNE),and former
UK Ambassador to the U.S. shared views on the changing nature of the
transatlantic dialogue and climate change at a recent BNE-sponsored
event.
Transatlantic Dialogue
--------------
2. (SBU) Lord Kerr said the likely recession in the U.S. could mean
protectionist pressures would increase. One impact could be on the
pending Senate ratification of the U.S.-UK Defense Trade Cooperation
Treaty (DTCT),which was signed in June 2007. Kerr asserted that
the DTCT may have a tough time getting ratified in what he
characterized as a more protectionist atmosphere. Likewise, the
"open skies" civil aviation negotiations may be in for similar
scrutiny and difficulty, according to Kerr.
3. (SBU) Kerr said that in the recent financial crisis, the U.S.
has not looked to the EU as if it were "in charge." As a result,
Kerr said successful engagement with the EU now requires that the
U.S. view the EU as an equal partner. He added that in the
transatlantic dialogue the U.S. will increasingly be faced with the
"collective EU position on issues." Kerr highlighted the October 18
Camp David meeting where Presidents Bush, Sarkozy and Barrosso
exchanged views on the need for a coordinated global response to the
economic crisis as an example of the changed nature of the
relationship between the U.S. and EU.
Climate Change
--------------
4. (SBU) "The U.S. will not sign up for Kyoto" said Kerr. He also
expressed doubt that the U.S. would follow the 2020 climate change
targets for the EU. In his opinion, the political reality in the
U.S. is that any discussion of climate change [targets and
commitments] requires equality of treatment with China.
Politically, no U.S. Member of Congress could support an
international agreement on climate change that appeared to give
China preferential treatment over the U.S, he said.
LEBARON