12/11/2020 (Agence Europe) – Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade approved the report by German MEP Bernd Lange (S&D) by 40 votes to two on 10 November. The text eliminates tariffs on live or frozen lobsters from the United States, which are not an important issue at European level. Only 5% of lobster consumption in the EU comes from European producers. This regulation, the result of a mini-agreement reached between the US and the EU in August 2020 (see EUROPE 12544/13), is part of a strategy of de-escalation with the US in view of a future trade agreement between that country and the European Union. It is, however, subject to a reduction in customs duties by the United States on products such as certain prepared dishes, crystal glasses or lighters. See the exact list of products: https://bit.ly/3neY065 (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)