International consumer groups boycott EU-US summit 

The CEOs from Coca Cola and Unilever, members of the TransAtlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) have been invited to make recommendations for the establishment of a barrier-free transatlantic market to US President George Bush and Commission's President Romano Prodi at the EU-US summit on 26 June.

But consumers' organisations said they will boycott the summit because they have bee denied such an opportunity to present their views. Rhoda Karpatkin, from the US Consumers Union, said “the decision to give business CEOs direct access to the Presidents, but to bar consumer groups organized to make recommendations (...), reinforces the concerns of the many citizens who have protested that trade summits are designed only to advance business interests, not to benefit or protect consumers.” The Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD), which represents consumer interest in the Transatlantic Economic Partnership trade policy discussions, had planned to present recommendations on reducing childhood obesity, protecting air travellers’ privacy and regulating chemicals. It "will decline to accept second class status for consumers" and has sent recommendations in writing, refusing to attend a scheduled meeting with government trade officials.

The EU-US Summit is due to demonstrate the strength and progress of the EU-US transatlantic economic relationship. A Declaration committing the EU and US to work together to achieve a successful outcome to the WTO negotiations is due to be adopted. It will also identify and call for the elimination of remaining trade and investment barriers between the transatlantic partners. The Irish Presidency said it has worked closely with the US Administration "to develop areas of practical EU-US cooperation in pursuit of a safer, fairer and more prosperous world".