The Roundtable on Financial and Economic Affairs will focus on financial reforms under consideration in both Europe and the United States in wake of the global financial crisis and the implications within Europe, as well as on a concerted and effective transatlantic approach. The program will also consider the divergent responses to the economic crisis and the ramifications within the European Union and for the United States, the future of the euro-zone, and the relationship between the dollar and the euro. Issues related to CFIUS and protecting the integrity of the electronic banking systems will also be included in this program.

Recent Meetings:

The seminar addressed the implications and impact of an expanding Eurozone and global security concerns for financial markets and regulation. The Hon. Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), commented on the process of financial integration in Europe and the economy’s potential for stronger non-inflationary economic growth. Odile Renaud-Basso, Secretary of the Economic and Financial Committee and the Economic Policy Committee for the European Commission discussed the prospects for reviving economic growth. Offering a U.S. perspective, Nova Daly, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Investment Security, U.S. Department of the Treasury, focused on foreign investment legislation, the role of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), financial services regulation and negotiating with partners such as China and Europe. He noted the need for more open markets and regulatory reform. Frank Kelly, Managing Director and Head of Government Affairs, Deutsche Bank, indicated that there are new challenges for business as globalization impacts China, India and beyond. The U.S. needs to deal with issues of overlapping regulation for financial investments, changes of financial markets and costs of legislation. H.E. Claudia Fritsche, Ambassador of Liechtenstein discussed security concerns that have transformed international financial operations. The Hon. Yves Mersch, Governor of Central Bank of Luxembourg, touched on the global economic environment, the European perspective of the American housing market, the decoupling of the European market, the risks of international markets and the Euro zone. Angel Ubide, Director of Global Economics, Tudor Investment Corporation served as the moderator.