- The European Union agreed to start trade talks with the United States on industrial goods.
- France, however, has objected to the decision while Belgium abstained.
- Despite the French opposition, the European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said she would contact U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to see when talks could begin.
French President Emmanuel Macron has one big issue regarding trade talks with the United States — the White House does not support the latest climate deal.
Earlier this week, the European Union agreed to start trade talks with the United States on industrial goods. France, however, has objected to the decision while Belgium abstained. In Paris, the concern is that there cannot be any agreement over trade while the U.S. refuses to commit to key environmental targets.
“France is opposed to the initiation of any trade negotiations with countries outside the Paris climate agreement,” a French official said Monday, explaining why the second largest euro country said no to trade negotiations with Washington.
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