United States pushes EU to cut non‑tariff trade barriers

Washington has sent the European Union a detailed request for public commitments to reduce or eliminate a set of regulations it says hinder transatlantic commerce. The focus is on so‑called non‑tariff barriers covering vehicle safety standards, food safety and agricultural rules. The move comes as the one‑year anniversary of the U.S.–EU trade deal that lowered tariffs on industrial goods and certain agricultural products approaches; the agreement also saw the United States cut tariffs on many European exports to 15%.

EU officials have signalled they are not prepared to sign a new pact, preferring to mark the anniversary by highlighting progress already made. The European Commission has, however, sent a list of possible tariff cuts on European wine, spirits, cheese and machinery, representing about €115 billion of EU exports to the United States. U.S. officials note a large goods trade deficit for the EU (about €198 billion last year) contrasted with a U.S. surplus in services of roughly €178 billion.