12/06/2020 (Agence Europe) – In contrast to the tense atmosphere surrounding talks on the future relationship between the EU and the UK, negotiations between the UK and the US are progressing well. The parties have a common ambition to finalise negotiations over a trade agreement before elections take place in the United States on 3 November. The agreement would cover agriculture, with U.S. President Donald Trump eagerly seeking new markets since U.S. farmers have been punished by Chinese tariffs. A new round of talks is scheduled for Monday 15 June. This could then be followed by weekly negotiations until the end of July. It should be stressed that any agreement with the U.S. could largely undermine the EU's ambitions regarding several parts of its negotiations with London (see EUROPE 12504/5). Since Washington and the EU often find themselves rivals in terms of standards, key European demands over geographical indications, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, data flow, etc. could thus be thwarted. (HD)