EU Trade Ministers

EU Trade Ministers in Luxembourg are reported to have made progress in their efforts to agree on a plan for free-trade talks with the United States.
The talks had stalled over French demands that its film and media business be excluded from the negotiations.
As unanimity is required for any free-trade talks to take place, French objections could scupper the entire process.
The chair of today's talks, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Richard Bruton, held several bilateral meetings with individual ministers this afternoon.
Now all 27 ministers have resumed talks on a possible compromise deal.
This afternoon, Mr Bruton said he was hopeful of finding a compromise, while, at the same time, recognising the audio-visual sector is 'hugely sensitive' for France.
An EU study has concluded that lowering tariffs with the US, and harmonising business regulatory systems, could boost the EU economy by €119bn a year, and create 400,000 jobs.
If trade ministers can agree on a mandate for discussions, European Commission officials would engage with their US counterparts as early as July.

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