- September 23, 2026
- ; 16:30
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- September 23, 2026
- ; 18:30
In June 2026, the European Parliament approved the legislation implementing the EU–U.S. Turnberry Agreement, bringing greater predictability to transatlantic trade while establishing safeguards to ensure both sides uphold their commitments. While the agreement marks an important step toward stabilizing transatlantic trade, tariffs alone will not resolve the structural challenges facing the partnership. Questions surrounding economic security, industrial competitiveness, strategic dependencies, and coordination toward third countries remain at the forefront of the U.S.-German agenda.
Against this backdrop, the third virtual workshop of the German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue (GATT-D) 2025–2026 on September 23, 2026 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CEST will begin with an exchange between senior representatives from the U.S. and German governments, reflecting on recent developments and the priorities shaping the transatlantic agenda. Participants will then join two breakout sessions on defining issues for transatlantic economic security: managing relations with China and strengthening resilient critical mineral supply chains.
The first breakout session will examine U.S. and German approaches toward China. While Washington frames China as a strategic competitor, Germany seeks to reconcile its economic interdependence with China with growing concerns over economic security, technological dependencies, and geopolitical risks. Against the backdrop of Europe’s de-risking agenda, the discussion will explore:
– Where do U.S. and German approaches toward China converge, and where do significant differences in priorities, instruments, and risk assessments persist?
– How can transatlantic partners better align their economic security strategies – including export controls, investment screening, supply chain resilience, and technology governance – while maintaining channels for selective cooperation with China in areas of mutual interest?
– In which policy areas is closer U.S.–German cooperation most urgently needed to reduce strategic dependencies and strengthen resilience in critical sectors such as advanced technologies, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and industrial supply chains?
The second breakout session will focus on critical minerals, which have become a cornerstone of economic security, industrial competitiveness, and national resilience. From semiconductors, batteries, and artificial intelligence to defense technologies and the clean energy transition, access to critical raw materials increasingly shapes the strategic position of advanced economies. As the United States, Germany, and the European Union seek to diversify supply chains, scale domestic capacities, and build trusted partnerships, recent initiatives such as the strategic partnership on critical minerals and the EU-US Critical Minerals Action Plan underscore the growing importance of transatlantic coordination. The discussion will explore:
– How can the United States and Germany diversify sources of critical minerals and build resilient supply chains through partnerships with resource-rich countries and trusted allies?
– Where can transatlantic cooperation accelerate investment in mining, refining, processing, recycling, and substitution technologies, while supporting the development of sustainable and transparent supply chains?
– How can the United States, Germany, and the European Union better align their critical minerals strategies, trade arrangements, and industrial policies to reduce dependencies on dominant suppliers, strengthen supply security, and maintain open and competitive markets?
