A drive by the Government to move on a historic free trade agreement between Europe and the United States during the Irish EU presidency will begin tomorrow when Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton meets his British counterpart, Vince Cable (above), in London.
The EU has agreed to open negotiations with the US on a trade agreement worth an estimated €150 billion annually to the European economy. The crucial negotiations will take place during the Irish presidency in the first half of next year.
Mr Bruton will play a pivotal role in the talks as chairman of the trade council of ministers during the six-month period.
“This is a tangible measure that the Irish presidency can deliver that could make a major difference to the EU economy,” a Government source said yesterday.
“Given the importance of trade to our capacity to grow jobs in Ireland, it has been prioritised and a lot of hard work has already gone into securing agreement on this issue, led by Minister Bruton.”
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