On 18 November, Member States’ representatives to the EU approved the regulation on the lowering of customs duties with the United States on certain products. In specific terms, the text results in the lowering of customs duties on live or frozen lobsters from the United States, while specifying that this is subject to the application of the same treatment by the US administration in respect of a selection of products exported by the EU (see EUROPE 12600/38).
For German Trade Minister Peter Altmaier, “it is time to move forward, to strengthen our transatlantic cooperation, and to resolve our long-standing dispute”. The vote on the Rules of Procedure by the European Parliament is scheduled for the next plenary session to be held from 23 November to 26 November. The EU Council will then give its final approval in order for it to enter into force. It will apply retroactively from 1 August 2020. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)