E.U. Officials Impatient Over Lack of Progress on Trade Pact With U.S.

The article that I chose for this weeks blogs discussed the trade agreements between America and the European Union.  The two sides have begun talks that are aimed at eliminating tariffs between the two parties.  This is a very important deal because in 2012 the amount traded between the two nations totaled $594 billion.  Members of both parties have recognized that eliminating these tariffs would be beneficial to both parties.  It seems as though the European Union is getting impatient with the United States.  It has been speculated that the delay was a result of the recent presidential campaign.  One of the issues are currently within the Spanish toy market.   Under the current system, a toy that passes safety regulations in Europe must then pass the same tests in America.  This dilemma causes additional costs for the Spanish suppliers.  Business groups within the US have been responsible for added pressure on the US government to create a deal with the European Union.  With pressure on the US government coming from both sides of the Atlantic ocean one would think that the government would be willing to work out a deal.  But American trade officials have been being very quiet about their reasons for delaying the future trade talks.  Richard Burton, the Irish minister for jobs, has claimed that a trade agreement would boost the European economy by $160 billion and the US economy by $100 billion.  It does not make since to me why the US government continues to postpone these much needed trade discussions. I feel as though there must be some sort of ulterior motive for them to not pass the proposed deal.  My only guess is that the American government is reaping benefits by imposing trades on the imported goods.  Ultimately this is a deal that will benefit both sides.  A deal that is considered to be win-win is a deal that is worth taking.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/business/global/eu-officials-impatient-over-lack-of-progress-on-trade-pact-with-us.html?ref=internationaltradeandworldmarket&_r=0

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