House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement on the bipartisan Congressional delegation’s conclusion of meetings in Brussels where they were hosted by the European Commission and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):
“Our delegation was warmly welcomed to Brussels where we met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, and Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis. As the leaders of the bipartisan, bicameral efforts to hold Russia and Belarus accountable for their unprovoked war on Ukraine, we thanked the EU and NATO for standing shoulder to shoulder with President Biden and the Congress. All parties emphatically agreed that it is our duty to continue to bring all economic and trade tools to bear in stopping this violence.
“With Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, we discussed ongoing work to improve trade relations with the EU and joint efforts to counter the harmful practices of non-market economies. We emphasized the need for meaningful reforms to the World Trade Organization, and committed to supporting EU and UK efforts to find joint solutions to implement the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and protect the Good Friday Agreement.
“At NATO Headquarters, Secretary General Stoltenberg provided an update on ongoing efforts to aid Ukraine. The delegation discussed the future of the Alliance and how critical continued investments will be to our success.
“We left the meetings grounded in our firm, shared belief that the greatest strength between us is our unity.
“As we travel to London, the delegation will focus on how we can bilaterally advance fair and inclusive trade policies and continue the dialogue on finding durable solutions in the post-Brexit trade environment to promote peace and stability. Our transatlantic partnership has been a beacon for democracy and economic prosperity, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration.”
Original source can be found here.
