Lange: TTIP Deal In 2016 'Unrealistic' As U.S. Won't Move On EU Priorities

摘要

BRUSSELS - Bernd Lange, the chairman of the European Parliament's International Trade Committee, said this week that it is "unrealistic" that the U.S. and EU will be able to close a deal in 2016 due in part to the U.S. refusal to move on key EU priorities such as market access on procurement and services. In a July 12 interview with Inside U.S. Trade, Lange also said his assessment was based on the negative trade rhetoric by U.S. presidential candidates, the uncertainty of whether the U.S. Congress would approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the fact that negotiators are running out of time to complete a deal this year.