Le Maire And Habeck Talk Up EU Unity Following Washington IRA Talks

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck and French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire have touted EU unity at joint press conference following the completion of talks with Biden administration officials on the US Inflation Reduction Act and EU Green Deal Industrial Plan.

• Habeck warned: "It is important that the Transatlantic Partnership does not become a race for subsidies," and commended a year of unity from the US and EU.
• Le Maire noted, in German, that it was the first time that a Franco-German delegation of finance ministers had travelled to Washington for joint talks. A sign, Le Maire said, of the strength of relationship between the EU leaders.
• Habeck said that both sides agreed on the need for "transparency," for cooperation on critical raw materials, and to work on easing dependence on China.
• Focus now turns to the February 9 European Council where the EU Green Industrial Deal Plan will be subject to "political debate" with a legal proposal to be drafted by mid-March, to be unveiled in full ahead of the 23 March European Council, according to EU Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen.