The issue of agriculture continues to loom large in coming trade talks between the U.S. and European Union (EU), with USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney the latest to push the issue.
"I do not think we will reach an agreement if agriculture is not included," McKinney told reporters on a teleconference while in Brussels. EU officials have remained steadfast in insisting that agriculture must be excluded from the trade negotiation. McKinney also highlighted cooperation between the two sides, saying they are working “much more closely” on issues like modernizing the WTO. One of the friction points between the U.S. and EU has long been on biotechnology. He also noted some EU countries were expressing an interest in gene editing. "I have been encouraged," McKinney said. "This is a technology that they do not want to miss out on. How they get there is very much to be determined. It is a not a fait accompli."
The U.S. is ready to help the EU as it works through the process relative to regulation of gene editing, noting the U.S. has seen the value in the technology. Agriculture remains a key sticking point in the prospects for U.S.-EU trade discussions, which keeps an eventual conclusion of the talks further down the road.
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