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EU mulls change of tack on US trade pact

EU mulls change of tack on US trade pact | iNFOnews.ca
A man holds a poster during a demonstration against the TTIP and CETA trade agreements in Leipzig, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. Thousands of people are rallying in cities across Germany to protest against planned European Union trade deals with the United States and Canada. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer) A

BRUSSELS – European Union nations doubt that they can conclude a massive trade pact with the U.S. anytime soon and are debating whether to change tack on the talks.

Slovak Economy Minister Peter Ziga, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency, said Friday that “there is some new start or some new approach needed.”

After three years of talks, big differences remain over the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, with work needed in all of the 30 chapters the pact will entail.

The Europeans want to seal a deal before President Barack Obama leaves office in January. Looming elections in France and Germany are also hampering progress.

Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders said “we only have a small chance of success unless the United States starts to give a bit of ground.”

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