EU and U.S. discuss ways forward on bilateral trade issues

Summary:

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and European Union Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton met on 13 July, 2009, in Washington D.C. to discuss bilateral trade relations.

Building on the successful conclusion of an agreement on the long-standing beef hormone dispute on 13 May 2009, both sides agreed to intensify their bilateral engagement in order to find solutions that will bring meaningful economic benefits to workers, consumers, and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

Further information:

The beef hormone dispute started in 1988, when the EU applied the precautionary principle and banned products treated with growth- promoting hormones.