In the wake of statements by US President Donald Trump in Davos on 22 January (see EUROPE 12409/22), the US Administration intends, once again (see EUROPE 12284/4), to press the EU to agree to include agriculture-related elements in the transatlantic trade negotiations.
After Ted McKinney, the U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, last June it was the turn of the Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, to come to Brussels to advocate for U.S. agricultural products and ‘mourn’ their denigration.
Among the products that Washington wants to see have access to the European market are chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef.
Will agriculture soon be on the negotiating agenda?
In the wake of the Davos Summit on 24 January, the European Commission, through its spokesman, had reported a "shared willingness to renew transatlantic relations", which would build on the parties' positive agenda and on the ongoing negotiations (see EUROPE 12304/25), but would also explore "other common issues".
Since then, the Commission has been unwilling to give further details on these issues, but confirmed, on Monday 27 January, that President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to travel "soon" to Washington to pursue talks that could "lead to a comprehensive, broad and mutually beneficial agenda" for both sides.
However, one should remember that the EU is committed to concluding any future "global" free trade agreement only with countries that are signatories to the Paris Climate Agreement.
According to the British press, the U.S. offensive on agriculture is also expected to target the United Kingdom, with whom Washington will soon officially begin trade negotiations. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)