Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report: U.S.-EU Trade Agreement Negotiating Objectives are Focus of USTR Inquiry

Issues to be addressed in a U.S.-European Union trade agreement are the focus of a new request for public comment by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. A hearing will be held Dec. 14 in Washington, D.C. and written comments are due by Dec. 10. Talks are expected to get underway no earlier than Jan. 14, 2019.

As it develops U.S. negotiating positions, USTR is particularly interested in comments on the following.

– general and product-specific negotiating objectives

– relevant barriers to trade in goods and services

– economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of removing or reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers on articles traded with the EU

– treatment of specific goods (described by HTSUS numbers), including product-specific import or export interests or barriers, experience with particular measures that should be addressed, and ways to address export priorities and import sensitivities

– customs and trade facilitation issues

– sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade

– other measures or practices that undermine fair market opportunities for U.S. businesses, workers, farmers, and ranchers