Washington Automakers support a proposed free trade deal between the United States and European Union, and want auto safety regulations harmonized on both sides of the Atlantic.
Vehicle and auto parts trade between Europe and the United States was $57 billion in 2012, accounting for 9 percent of the total $646 billion in U.S.-EU trade.
The Association of Global Automakers is the trade group representing major Asian automakers and luxury companies. Its president and chief executive Michael Stanton said in comments filed with the U.S. Trade Representative’s office that the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership “can promote economic growth, increase jobs and enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. and European producers — both in general and within the automotive sector in particular — through regulatory convergence, mutual recognition, the elimination of tariffs and other facilitation measures.”
The group said the EU and U.S. should reach agreement on regulations on child restraint systems, fuel system integrity, vehicle emissions, occupant and side-impact crash protection, tire-pressure monitors and bumpers.