the case for investing in europe 2013

THE CASE FOR INVESTING IN EUROPE 2013

Despite a decade of difficulties, the transatlantic partnership has only grown stronger not weaker, larger rather than smaller, more connected than unconnected.

No commercial entity in the world is as large as the one binding the US and Europe together; the transatlantic economy still accounts for over 50% of world GDP in nominal US dollars and 41% on a purchasing power parity basis.

Europe remains one of the largest economic entities in the world, representing nearly 20% of world output in 2012.

China stood at 12%, to compare.

Europe’s size and wealth is what sets the region apart.

In 2012, Europe accounted for roughly 25% of global personal consumption expenditures—two-thirds more than the BRICS.

In the latest rankings of global competitiveness from the World Economic Forum, six European countries were ranked in the top 10, and six more in the top 25.

11 European nations ranked in the top 25 most business-friendly nations in a 2013 survey by the World Bank.

The total output of Europe’s periphery is larger than China’s total output.

In 2012, the periphery nations produced $13.2 trillion in output versus China’s $12.4 trillion.

Despite 2011 being a challenging year for Europe, the region still accounted for 24%– of total foreign affiliate income for S&P 500 companies, versus 15% for Asia.

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could increase growth on both sides of the Atlantic by 1.5% over the medium term and reinvigorate the transatlantic partnership.

TTIP could become a global gold standard for economic cooperation, addressing tariffs, standards and regulatory barriers and be the template for negotiating agreements with emerging powers, like China.

THE CASE FOR INVESTING IN EUROPE 2013