Germany sees ‘most difficult part’ in EU-US trade talks ahead

The most difficult part in trade negotiations between Europe and the United States is starting now and talks should focus on reducing tariffs on industrial goods to increase the chances of a deal, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said on Tuesday.

Asked about the risk of higher U.S. car tariffs, Altmaier said he did not buy the argument that imported cars would threaten the national security of the United States.

Altmaier added that he was in favour of reducing import tariffs for cars to the same level in the U.S. and Europe, “ideally to zero percent”.

France is reluctant to open up its agriculture sector to U.S. imports and Altmaier said he was fine with excluding the issue in the trade talks.

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Article source: http://www.dailystar.com.lb//Business/International/2019/Feb-19/476941-germany-sees-most-difficult-part-in-eu-us-trade-talks-ahead.ashx