Karel de Gucht is the outgoing EU Commissioner for Trade and has been leading the European negotiations around the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). In discussion with Future of Diplomacy Project Faculty Director Nicholas Burns, Commissioner de Gucht will discuss prospects for the trade deal and the impact trade negotiations have on Europe's geopolitical relations, including with its Eastern neighbors, such as Ukraine.
NOTE: Breakfast will be served as of 8am, so that the discussion can begin at 8:30am.
Mr. De Gucht is the outgoing European Commissioner for trade, a role he has served in since 2010. Previously he served as Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid (2009-2010).
Born in Overmere, Belgium he graduated in Law at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel where he was Professor in European Law (1991-2009). He has been National President of the Flemish Association of Liberal Students (1975-1977), National President of the Young Flemish Liberal Movement (1977-1979), National President of the Flemish Liberal and Democratic Party -VLD (1999-2004), and Member of the Bureau since 1977. He was Member of the European Parliament (1980-1994), Deputy-Prime Minister of Belgium (2008-2009), Senator (1994-1995), Member of the Flemish Parliament (1995-2003), Member of the Belgian House of Representatives (2003-2009), Minister for International Trade (2007-2009) and Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Affairs (2004-2009).
