Germany calls for new talks on transatlantic trade deal

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Germany calls for new talks on transatlantic trade deal

6:37 CAT | 21 Mar 2022

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner holds a press conference in Berlin, Germany, on March 16, 2022, to present the 2022 financial plan. [File photo: Tobias Schwarz/ AFP]

Germany’s finance minister has called for fresh talks over a free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, a newspaper reported on Sunday, aiming to revive discussions halted by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump ended negotiations over the so-called Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and instead pressed a number of trade disputes with the EU.

“We should resume negotiations on a transatlantic free trade agreement. Especially now in the (Ukraine) crisis, it is becoming clear how important free trade is with partners around the world who share our values,” Christian Lindner, the finance minister of Europe’s largest economy, told Handelsblatt.

It is unclear to what extent there is support for such talks in Europe. In recent years, some officials have spoken in favour of a resumption, while others have been more cautious.

Germany’s finance ministry didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

In a statement, the U.S. embassy in Berlin didn’t respond directly to Lindner’s proposal but said an existing U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council ensured that trade and technology policies support broad-based growth.

“The current crisis shows the United States and Germany, and the European Union, are indispensable partners,” it added.

Source: Reuters