Washington/Brussels
A report, by the European Commission, that reviews transatlantic trade, says that the United States has been using national security as a pretext for protecting American companies and markets from European competition.
"European business is being increasingly affected by growing US national security restrictions", underlines the report.
European companies continue to face "steep regulatory barriers" when exporting to the United States.
Targeted legislation includes the Patriot Act, the Bioterrorism Act and the Container Security Initiative, which the European Commission says put burdens on transatlantic trade by adding costs and delays for exporters from the European Union.
The report also criticises American limitations on foreign investments, especially rules that restrict foreign ownership of American airlines.
American refusal to loosen the rules has blocked the negotiations on an "open skies" deal that would remove restrictions on transatlantic flights.
The European Union said that the United States must allow European investors a bigger stake in American airlines before the European Union will be able to sign the transatlantic open skies deal.
The total European Union and U.S. Foreign Direct Investment, in each other's economy is valued at about 1.5 Trillion Euros.
The E.U. and the United States account for 37 percent of world trade.
Israel Rafalovich
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
A report, by the European Commission, that reviews transatlantic trade, says that the United States has been using national security as a pretext for protecting American companies and markets from European competition.
"European business is being increasingly affected by growing US national security restrictions", underlines the report.
European companies continue to face "steep regulatory barriers" when exporting to the United States.
Targeted legislation includes the Patriot Act, the Bioterrorism Act and the Container Security Initiative, which the European Commission says put burdens on transatlantic trade by adding costs and delays for exporters from the European Union.
The report also criticises American limitations on foreign investments, especially rules that restrict foreign ownership of American airlines.
American refusal to loosen the rules has blocked the negotiations on an "open skies" deal that would remove restrictions on transatlantic flights.
The European Union said that the United States must allow European investors a bigger stake in American airlines before the European Union will be able to sign the transatlantic open skies deal.
The total European Union and U.S. Foreign Direct Investment, in each other's economy is valued at about 1.5 Trillion Euros.
The E.U. and the United States account for 37 percent of world trade.
Israel Rafalovich
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report