The United States needs to realize it has deep economic ties with Europe and shared concerns on China and should work more as a partner on trade issues, the candidate to become the next EU trade chief said on Monday.
Irishman Phil Hogan, nominated to be EU trade commissioner for the next five years, fielded a series of questions from lawmakers during a hearing at the European Parliament, including on strained transatlantic ties.
"During the moments of heightened tension we must not lose sight of the big picture. We trade €3 billion ($3.3 billion) a day with the United States and the EU-U.S relationship remains the largest and deepest economic relationship in the world," Hogan said.