Transatlantic Trade and Innovation

Intellectual Property became the centre of a dispute over the ‘public good’ during the COVID-19 Pandemic – with many governments demanding that private companies hand over patents and IP for pharmaceutical companies. This sets a dangerous precedent for government overreach into private enterprise, with many now arguing that IP should also be appropriated for other purposes. How do we continue to protect IP across borders?

• Moderator: Pieter Cleppe - Editor in Chief, Brussels Report
• Ivan Stefanec MEP - EPP Slovakia
• Margarita de la Pisa Carrión MEP - ECR Spain
• Simona Popa - Chair, Intellectual Property Committee, AMCHAM EU
• Claudia Martinez Felix - Deputy Head of Unit Intangible Economy, DG GROW, European Commission
• Lorenzo Montanari, Editor of the International Property Rights Index

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed in the closing weeks of the 117th Congress. It was billed as a package of measures designed to combat the rising cost of living, but has instead become an omnibus package of subsidies, tax cuts, and protectionist measures. The IRA has expanded the involvement of the Federal Government in Industry, with many in Europe arguing that IRA is promoting uncompetitive behaviour. Could IRA come to harm the US reputation as a promoter of global free trade more than it helps its own economy?

• Moderator: Robert Tyler - New Direction
• Miriam Lexmann MEP - EPP Slovakia
• Michiel Hoogeveen, ECR Netherlands
• Philip Thompson - Tholos Foundation
• Matthias Jorgensen - Matthias JORGENSEN - Head of Unit, USA & Canada, DG TRADE, European Commission