U.S.Ready to Negotiate Free Trade Deal with EU

The U.S. intends to begin trade negotiations with the European Union, the United Kingdom and Japan. US trade representative Robert Lighthizer sent therelevant memorandum of intent to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, October 16. The US plans to start negotiations as soon as practicable, but no earlier than 90 days from the date of this notice. According to Lighthizer “it is committed to concluding these negotiations with timely and substantive results for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses.” it is expected that during future negotiations both duties and other trade barriers will be discussed. The United States hopes to achieve a “fairer" trading scheme, says the message sent to Congress. Commercial relations between the United States and the European Union are "the most significant and complex" economic relations in the world, the document also indicates. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström believes that the conclusion of an agreement on duties between Washington and Brussels is not expected yet. According to her, the European delegation will arrive next week in the United States. Malmstrom herself will hold talks with Lighthizer in November, after the U.S. Congress elections. Source: DW