The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office said Monday that trade talks with the European Union on “reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade” would resume this month with a plan to “finalize outcomes in a number of areas” by November.
“Specifically, we hope for an early harvest in the area of technical barriers to trade. We look forward to each party pursuing their domestic processes for negotiating mandates,” said U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and European Union Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström in a joint statement.
The administration added that it will meet with lawmakers and begin the process of getting a prospective deal approved under Trade Promotion Authority, the law covering submitting deals for congressional approval.
Relations between the U.S. and E.U. have been bumpy, and President Trump recently threatened 25 percent tariffs on European auto and auto parts imports. However in July, Trump and European Commission Chief Jean-Claude Juncker made a surprise announcement to work toward easing trade relations. The two leaders established an executive working group with the aim of eliminating all tariffs, barriers and subsidies that harm businesses and consumers in the U.S. and Europe.
[Related: Europe warns Trump’s auto tariffs will cost US jobs, weaken alliances]
Monday’s announcement was essentially a progress report on that effort. The announcement said the most recent meeting had been constructive and would continue through October.
