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Patching Up US-Europe Discord as Secretive Bilderberg Meeting Sets Agenda

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Designed in the middle of last century to "foster dialogue between Europe and North America," the so-called decision makers of the world are to rub shoulders again in an annual, secretive bash of the Bilderberg conference - and at a time of discord between Europe and the US.

Among the latest points of disagreement between Washington and Brussels are the introduction of tariffs by the US on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports from the EU, difference of opinions on the move of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and the American withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran.

The relations between the US, the UK and largely the EU are going through a rough patch, and the intimate setting for politicians, businessmen and academics might just serve the initial purpose of the Bilderberg.

According to a statement released by the Bilderberg Meetings official website, free trade, US world leadership, as well as Saudi Arabia and Iran are on the list of the key discussion topics.

Other subjects to be debated by over 120 participants from 23 countries include Russia, populism in Europe, Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, the US before midterms, the "post-truth" world, the future of work, the inequality challenge, and current events.

The guest list of the conference lists Prime Ministers of Serbia, Belgium, Estonia, the Netherlands, former and current US government officials, Governor of Bank of England, NATO Secretary General and a number of high-profile academics.

© REUTERS / Francois LenoirBelgian Prime Minister Charles Michel addresses a news conference following a government's security council in Brussels, Belgium, June 18, 2016
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel addresses a news conference following a government's security council in Brussels, Belgium, June 18, 2016 - Sputnik International
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Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel addresses a news conference following a government's security council in Brussels, Belgium, June 18, 2016
© AP Photo / Jasper JuinenDutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte - Sputnik International
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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte
© REUTERS / Marko DjuricaSerbia's Prime Minister designate Ana Brnabic smiles during a parliament session in Belgrade, Serbia June 28, 2017
Serbia's Prime Minister designate Ana Brnabic smiles during a parliament session in Belgrade, Serbia June 28, 2017 - Sputnik International
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Serbia's Prime Minister designate Ana Brnabic smiles during a parliament session in Belgrade, Serbia June 28, 2017
© AP Photo / Alessandra TarantinoEstonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas
Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas - Sputnik International
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Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas
© REUTERS / /Niklas Hall'enThe Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, speaks during the quarterly Inflation Report press conference in central London, February 4, 2016.
The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, speaks during the quarterly Inflation Report press conference in central London, February 4, 2016. - Sputnik International
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The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, speaks during the quarterly Inflation Report press conference in central London, February 4, 2016.
© AP Photo / Kirsty WigglesworthBritain's then Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne leaves 11 Downing Street, in London for prime minister's questions, Wednesday, July 13, 2016.
Britain's then Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne leaves 11 Downing Street, in London for prime minister's questions, Wednesday, July 13, 2016. - Sputnik International
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Britain's then Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne leaves 11 Downing Street, in London for prime minister's questions, Wednesday, July 13, 2016.
© REUTERS / Francois LenoirNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg delivers a speech on European defence and transatlantic security at the German Marshall Fund think-tank in Brussels, Belgium, November 18, 2016.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg delivers a speech on European defence and transatlantic security at the German Marshall Fund think-tank in Brussels, Belgium, November 18, 2016. - Sputnik International
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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg delivers a speech on European defence and transatlantic security at the German Marshall Fund think-tank in Brussels, Belgium, November 18, 2016.
© AP Photo / Richard DrewFormer U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is interviewed by Neil Cavuto on his "Cavuto Coast to Coast" program, on the Fox Business Network, in New York, Friday, June 5, 2015
Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is interviewed by Neil Cavuto on his Cavuto Coast to Coast program, on the Fox Business Network, in New York, Friday, June 5, 2015 - Sputnik International
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Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is interviewed by Neil Cavuto on his "Cavuto Coast to Coast" program, on the Fox Business Network, in New York, Friday, June 5, 2015
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Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel addresses a news conference following a government's security council in Brussels, Belgium, June 18, 2016
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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte
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Serbia's Prime Minister designate Ana Brnabic smiles during a parliament session in Belgrade, Serbia June 28, 2017
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Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas
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The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, speaks during the quarterly Inflation Report press conference in central London, February 4, 2016.
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Britain's then Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne leaves 11 Downing Street, in London for prime minister's questions, Wednesday, July 13, 2016.
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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg delivers a speech on European defence and transatlantic security at the German Marshall Fund think-tank in Brussels, Belgium, November 18, 2016.
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Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is interviewed by Neil Cavuto on his "Cavuto Coast to Coast" program, on the Fox Business Network, in New York, Friday, June 5, 2015

The full list of participants can be found here.

Bilderberg conferences are described as "private" and no minutes are taken, no report is written, no resolutions are proposed, no votes are taken, and no policy statements are issued.

The secrecy of the meeting has annually prompted active protests, with activists suggesting the group grooms future political leaders behind closed doors, makes influential business deals off record and is unavailable for media and public scrutiny.

© AFP 2023 / Christian BrunaProtesters take part in a demonstration against the Bilderberg conference in Telfs, Austria, on June 13, 2015.
Protesters take part in a demonstration against the Bilderberg conference in Telfs, Austria, on June 13, 2015.  - Sputnik International
Protesters take part in a demonstration against the Bilderberg conference in Telfs, Austria, on June 13, 2015.

The 2018 Bilderberg Meeting is taking place in Turin, Italy on 7-10 June.

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