The U.S. – EU Digital Agenda: A Trans-Atlantic Business Council and K&L Gates Symposium

“Data is the new oil”—the lifeblood of the modern economy. So far, the Internet and the digital economy have benefited from relatively light touch governmental intervention. But is change coming? And are the U.S. and EU headed in different directions regarding the treatment of data and digital companies?

On Monday, December 10th, there will be a discussion among leading U.S. and EU policymakers on data privacy and the taxation and regulation of digital companies.

EU Ambassador to the U.S. David O’Sullivan will deliver the keynote address and will be followed by the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Peter Davidson. Panel discussions featuring representatives from the Trump Administration, U.S. Congress, the EU Mission and EU Parliament will follow.

This program is co-sponsored by the Trans-Atlantic Business Council.

Agenda

Welcome – 1:00 p.m.
Bart Gordon, Partner, K&L Gates, Washington, D.C.

Keynote Speaker: EU Ambassador to the United States David O’Sullivan – 1:05 p.m.
Ambassador O’Sullivan has a long and distinguished career that spans five decades. He has served in a number of senior official posts in the European public service. Prior to his appointment as EU Ambassador to the United States, he was the Chief Operating Officer of the ‘European External Action Service’ and responsible for establishing this new EU diplomatic service. The Service is one of the largest diplomatic networks with 140 delegations across the globe.

A Discussion with General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Peter Davidson – 1:30 p.m.
Peter Davidson is the Department of Commerce’s Chief Legal Officer and has a lead role with respect to the Privacy Shield. Previously, he served as a Senior Vice President at Verizon Communications, and General Counsel to the United States Trade Representative. He also has served as a Vice President at USWEST and Qwest and was General Counsel and Policy Director to the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives.

Moderator: Bruce J. Heiman, Partner, K&L Gates, Washington, D.C.

Panel Discussion – Data Privacy – 2:00 p.m.
Moderator: Ignasi Guardans, Partner, K&L Gates, Brussels

Panelists

• Claude-Étienne Armingaud, Partner, K&L Gates, Paris, and a Certified Information Privacy Professional in Europe
• João Rodrigues, Legal Adviser, European Parliament Liaison Office in Washington, D.C.
• A representative of a U.S. business association will be participating.

Panel Discussion – Taxation of Digital Companies – 2:50 p.m.
Moderator: Mary Burke Baker, Government Affairs Counselor, K&L Gates, Washington, D.C.
Representatives from the U.S. Treasury Department, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Delegation of the European Union to the United States are expected to participate.

• Pierre-Olivier Pollet, Tax Attaché for North America, Embassy of France to the United States
• Tomas Baert, Head of Trade and Agriculture of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States
• Representatives from the U.S. Treasury Department and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are expected to participate.

Panel Discussion – Regulation of Digital Companies – 3:30 p.m.
Moderator: Bruce J. Heiman, Partner, K&L Gates, Washington, D.C.

Panelists:

• Maria Luisa Iennaco, DG IPOL Liaison Officer, Directorate-General for Communication European Parliament Liaison Office in Washington, D.C.
• Robert D. Atkinson, President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
• Representatives of the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Congress are expected to participate.