; Whereas a strong United States-European Union partnership has helped build our mutual economies, ensured unprecedented peace in Europe, and remains essential to creating a freer, safer, and more prosperous and more interconnected world; Whereas the Transatlantic economy is the world’s largest and wealthiest market and the single most important driver of global economic growth and prosperity, with the United States and European Union together accounting for over half of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), generating $5,500,000,000,000 in yearly commercial sales and employing up to 15,000,000 workers in domestic jobs on both sides of the Atlantic; Whereas mutual investment is the backbone of the Transatlantic economy, and the United States and Europe are each other’s primary source and destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); Whereas the United States and the European Union are each other’s largest trading partners, and United States-European Union trade totaled approximately $687,000,000,000 during 2016, almost double the level at the beginning of the century; Whereas the Transatlantic economy drives innovation, with the United States and European Union investing more in mutual Research and Development than any other 2 international partners and collaborating across areas of science and technology, including marine and Arctic science, transportation and energy technologies, and health research; Whereas this historic partnership goes far beyond economic and commercial ties, and the United States and the European Union work together to promote peace and stability, protect human rights, foster democracy and sustainable development, combat global threats like terrorism, and eradicate disease and poverty