Championing the transatlantic trade partnership will be a key priority for America’s ambassador-designate to Finland. International tax and policy lawyer Mr. Charles Adams has been nominated for the posting by U.S. President Barack Obama.
TTIP, Russia relations, and the innovation-led economy were among his talking points when he appeared before the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Transatlantic partnerships
Finland can expect to see thousands of new jobs created through TTIP, currently under negotiation between Europe and the United States.
A successful deal will see the so called ‘behind-the-border’ barriers to trade removed, making it easier for Finnish companies entering the U.S. market.
The ambassador-designate says the two countries share a vision for a strong, robust transatlantic economy.
“That is why one of my top priorities will be increasing economic cooperation through expanded bilateral trade and investment,” he told the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday July 29,2014 (Senate hearing).
“Finland strongly supports TTIP, which, if successfully negotiated, could further increase bilateral economic ties and strengthen the overall U.S.-EU economic relationship.”
Innovation, education and the Arctic
Mr. Adams spoke on Finland’s “great innovation and education success culture,” and its role in the “increasingly important” Arctic region.
“Innovation has been the hallmark of modern day Finland, and the source of its quite remarkable success for a country of 5.3 million people.”
Russia-Finland relations
Mr. Adams was asked about Finland’s relations with Russia in the context of the Ukraine crisis and economic sanctions.
Given the interlinked economies, Finland, in terms of other European Union member states, has a lot to lose, he said.
“Finland has played a constructive role and will continue to play a constructive role. I will encourage Finland to continue to take a strong stand in alliance with its partners.”
Summing up he says it’s a “tremendous honor” to be nominated for the post.
“The U.S.-Finnish relationship continues to thrive because of the strong people-to-people ties. I look forward to advancing a still deeper connection between the United States and Finland.”
Mr. Adam’s has worked for an international law firm in Geneva since 1993, and is currently partner-in-charge of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
The multilingual son of a career diplomat was a significant fundraiser to President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 election campaigns.
He is expected to replace Mr. Bruce Oreck, America’s longest serving ambassador to Finland, once he has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate.