Brussels, 11/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - European Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said on Monday 7 March that, in his view, progress in talks on an EU-US free-trade agreement (TTIP) had been “very disappointing”, and he called on the EU to oppose any increased tariff liberalisation without better protection for EU geographical indications (GIs).
“Frankly, the level of progress in the TTIP negotiations is very disappointing and, with each week that passes, the chances of concluding these talks before the end of the Obama administration grow slighter”, Hogan said in an exchange of views with the European Parliament agriculture committee on the sidelines of the plenary session in Strasbourg on Monday. “An agreement in 2016, focusing solely on customs duties, would be a bad agreement”, he added.
Giving assurances that sensitive EU agricultural sectors would not face full liberalisation of the market, Hogan also expressed the view that any final agreement must protect the EU's GIs. “We must resist an approach that pushes towards greater liberalisation of customs duties without better protection of GIs”, he stated.
Addressing the Parliament intergroup on wine, spirits and quality foodstuffs the following day, Hogan argued for the removal of the remaining customs duties on wine and for strong protection of EU wine and spirits designations. Alcoholic beverages, which represent 50% of the agri-food products exported by the EU to the US, are “one of our major offensive interests”, he stressed, pointing out that the EU wanted exclusive protection for 17 wine designations, such as Champagne, Port, Sherry and Chianti, in addition to 21 new names of spirits.
Malmström foresees serious discussions on public procurement this summer. Visiting Washington, Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, speaking at the Peterson Institute, restated her belief that, despite the opposition aroused among American voters by the debates in the US presidential campaign, the TTIP negotiations could be concluded by the end of 2016, if the two sides “work hard and find the right content”.
Malmström confirmed that “considerable progress” had been made on regulatory issues, in particular in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, in the 12th round of technical negotiations in Brussels, 22-26 February (see EUROPE 11500). She indicated, too, that access to public contracts was the next major issue to be discussed, adding that “serious discussions” on this matter would be opened this summer (ED: an initial exchange of offers took place at the end of February).
As we went to press, Malmström was due to meet US Trade Representative Michael Froman to discuss the latest outcomes of the TTIP negotiations. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)