Obamas Visit A Matter Of Prestige For The Swedish Government

05 Sep 2013

Stockholm-based Foreign Policy Institute’s political scientist specializing in transatlantic relations, Erik Brattberg says that Obama's visit is a matter of prestige for the Swedish government that wants to be seen as a strong partner of Washington and hence, the visit will, therefore, be seen as a confirmation of the same.

President Obama will visit the KTH (Royal Institute of Technology) to see the latest research in energy solutions. Peter Gudmundson, KTH president, says he wants to show off the institute's work on innovation and research during the course of President Obama’s day in Stockholm.

The US and Sweden already cooperate on green energy solutions and the Swedish environmental technology sector. However, according to Brattberg it is doubtful if the presidential visit will lead to any new initiatives in this area.

An important item on the agenda is the TTIP free-trade negotiations between the US and the EU. However, this is more a matter of the US seeking the support of Sweden to persuade the rest of Europe to agree to a contract.

According to Brattberg, negotiations can have major consequences for the export of environmental technology and Swedish exports to the US in general.

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