On 19 February 2019, the EP's committee on International Trade (INTA) adopted its draft resolution concerning recommendations for the opening of trade negotiations between the EU and the US. Against the wishes of the author of the motion and INTA Chair LANGE (S&D, DE), of the GUE/NGL and Greens/EFA groups and part of the EFDD group, who opposed starting trade negotiations with the US under the present circumstances, the text adopted as amended with the support of the EPP, ECR and ALDE groups calls on the Council to endorse the recommendations for authorising the opening of negotiations with the US on the elimination of tariffs for industrial goods and on conformity assessment in their current form as it would ease current tensions in EU-US trade relations brought about by the US administration's actions. The text adopted nevertheless sets some conditions for the conclusion of a deal. The vote in plenary is scheduled to take place in March.
Recommendations for the opening of trade negotiations between the EU and the US
INTA adopted its draft motion for a resolution as amended with 21 votes in favour, 17 against and 1 abstention.
Immediately after the vote, Mr WAŁĘSA (EPP, PL) in a tweet welcomed the text adopted considering it a victory for his group and for the EU since it promoted dialogue between the EU and the US over the escalation of tensions. In a press release from the ECR, MEP MCCLARKIN (UK) said: "I am delighted the International Trade Committee has expressed its support for the EU-US trade negotiations to go ahead. The US and EU have made substantial progress since the July agreement and these negotiations will help to de-escalate rising tensions and reduce significant barriers to trade on both sides of the Atlantic."
The EP also issued a press release after the adoption of the text which can be found here.
Next steps
Vote in plenary on the EP's resolution on its recommendations for the opening of trade negotiations between the EU and the US scheduled to take place in March.
Next INTA meeting: 4 March 2019.
