Preliminary trade discussions between the United States and European Union aren’t going well. The stalemate over agriculture appears to be diming hopes for a comprehensive deal, as the E.U. continues to insist agriculture not be part of any agreement. Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Director of National Affairs Jordan Dux says the current disagreement also centers around tariffs on automobiles.
He says E.U. officials need to compromise and if they want tariffs removed they should include agriculture in the trade discussions.
Dux says the E.U. is off base leaving agriculture out of a trade pact with the U.S. because they already have trade deals involving ag with several other countries.
The EU has agreed to boost U.S. soy imports by allowing the use of the crop for biofuel production. Dux says that’s nothing more than a a ploy to keep the U.S. at the negotiating table.
