In spite of occasional disputes, trans-Atlantic trade and investment proceeds with more freedom than almost anywhere else in the world.

66. Insists that although WTO panels can provoke considerable political friction, trade or economic disputes are a natural component of the transatlantic economic relationship;

4. States that the EU-US relationship is overshadowed to a considerable extent by political conflict and is quite often characterised by rhetoric and trade disputes; notes that on both sides of the Atlantic there is a neglect of how deep and integrated the transatlantic economy has become; warns therefore against the risks inherent in taking this unique relationship for granted, treating it with benign neglect rather than with the degree of political engagement and attention required;

26. Notes that differences in court rules and the practice of recognising court judgments within EU countries and among US States has a significant impact on legal disputes concerning transatlantic transactions; asks the EU and the US to examine the feasibility of an agreement on jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of court judgments related to civil and commercial matters;

They would promote the stabilisation of a troubled region, contribute to the mutual settlement of the transatlantic discord over Iraq, and, all in all, would make a big difference.

32. Recognises that whilst only 2% of transatlantic trade causes disputes between the two parties, solutions should be expedited in accordance with obligations under WTO rules and a means found to work more closely and effectively together to manage potentially divisive trade disputes, such as the ongoing steel dispute and the foreign sales corporation tax; calls on the Commission to enhance the early-warning mechanism and to evaluate the creation of a formalised inter partes procedure which could help to solve trade disputes bilaterally before opening the existing multilateral WTO Dispute Settlement Procedure;