The European and American negotiators from the executive working group will meet for a week in Washington from Tuesday 23 October in order to launch discussions on the subjects of transatlantic regulatory cooperation.
Back in July, US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker committed, among other things, "to launch a close dialogue on standards in order to ease trade, reduce bureaucratic obstacles, and slash costs" so as to mitigate the risk of a price war (see EUROPE 12071).
These talks on reducing regulatory barriers to trade are expected to raise, among other issues, certain procedures for the assessment of conformity, standards and assessment for pharmaceuticals, medical and marine equipment, and the safety of food products. In the sectors of new technology, ways for the joint development of new standards might be considered.
In a note to the member states, the European Commission nevertheless underlined that cooperation would only be considered in sectors where standards were already relatively close. Furthermore, any commitment will be taken on a voluntary basis, and in the respect of existing legislation.
These discussions will furthermore be outside trade negotiations and will have to be applied with "the highest level of transparency and accountability", the note states.
Pressure on EU rising (again)
The Commission's negotiating team will negotiate under pressure. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross last week said he was concerned at the little progress of the key element of the presidents' roadmap (see EUROPE 12119).
On Wednesday 17 October, he was outraged that European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström claimed that "things are proceeding smoothly", "when the first regulatory meeting is on Tuesday [October 23] and the next scheduled meeting with Ambassador Lighthizer is at the end of the month".
Ross stated that tangible projects were expected for November, and he brandished risks of new tariff sanctions, this time on European automobiles.
Juncker responded the following day that the Commission had committed to producing results. "What we have agreed and what the two of us are committed to, will be done", he said. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)