The transatlantic relationship between the United States, Germany, and the EU is central to addressing global challenges. With this in mind, the Aspen Institute Germany launched the German-American Trade and Technology Dialogue (GATT-D). Following the recent presidential elections in the U.S. and the inauguration of the new EU Commission in Brussels, GATT-D enters its third round in the 2024-2025 project year. In the midst of a rapidly changing geopolitical environment characterized by Russia’s ongoing war of aggression and the profound impact of AI and other disruptive technologies, close transatlantic exchange remains crucial.
Given the rapid pace of political, economic, and technological change, the GATT-D provides the necessary space to discuss approaches to, and areas of, cooperation. It also creates important new networks of transatlantic leaders and strengthens existing relationships.
In regular online workshops and at an annual conference, selected representatives from politics, business, academia, and civil society come together to discuss key developments and challenges in the transatlantic relationship. This trusted exchange is accompanied by publications, social media coverage, and a final report from the major German-American Trade and Technology conference. The network and the knowledge generated will support the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and the further strengthening of German-American relations.
Key themes of the project include:
- Trade, technology, and democracy
- Supply chain security and resilience
- Research and development ecosystems and transatlantic R&D cooperation
- Regulatory convergence, technical standard setting, trade competition law and intellectual property
- National security: investment protections, export controls, and cybersecurity
- Energy security and energy transition
- Sustainability and climate change
German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue 2024-2025
The changing geopolitical environment, new disruptive technologies, as well as economic and social change on both sides of the Atlantic make the GATT-D more important than ever. The GATT-D 2024-2025 will continue serving as a catalyst for progress on challenging topics, such as digitalization, the energy transition, and economic security. There is an urgent need, now more than ever, to explore common political and societal priorities in the technology and trade sphere with an eye towards fostering democratic values and principles and figuring out joint approaches toward the challenges of today. More information is available here.
German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue 2023-2024
Despite the positive developments for transatlantic cooperation over the past two years, new challenges continue to emerge. Against the backdrop of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, the EU Parliament elections, and technological revolutions, the Aspen Institute Germany has continued the GATTD for a second year. You can find more information here.
German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue 2022-2023
Russia’s war of aggression, the rise of authoritarian regimes, and the technological revolution accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic have posed unprecedented challenges to the geopolitical order and global trade and technology policy. Against this backdrop, the Aspen Institute Germany launched the groundbreaking German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue (GATTD) 2022-2023. You can find more information here.
