The United States and the European Union have collaborated for over 60 years on key issues that range from promoting democracy and human rights to fighting weapons proliferation and terrorism. An alliance further strengthened by their extensive bilateral trade relationship, the E.U. and the U.S. stand apart as the first and second largest economies in the world. As the global economic crisis takes its toll, even this powerful partnership has been challenged. E.U. officials, led by His Excellency John Bruton, voiced serious concern over the possible inclusion of protectionist measures in America’s second stimulus package. Arguing that free trade and open markets, not isolationism, are the means to survive this recession, Ambassador Bruton will discuss how the E.U. and U.S. must lead the movement to restore global economic stability.