EU-US differences remain on energy trade

OREANDA-NEWS. An eighth round of EU-US trade talks ended today without a clear signal on removing restrictions on US gas and crude exports.

The EU has called for a dedicated energy chapter in a future transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP) that would then guarantee unrestricted access by EU companies to US gas and crude.

EU chief negotiator for TTIP Ignacio Garcia Bercero said discussions took place without prejudice to whether or not there will be a specific TTIP chapter on energy and raw materials.

"We think that would be a good idea," Bercero added.

The US remains hesitant to lift restrictions on natural gas and crude oil exports through legal binding commitments in TTIP.

"We have not reached a final view on whether it is necessary or useful to have a separate energy chapter per se," said US chief negotiator for TTIP Dan Mullaney. But he added that the US is "clearly" interested in opportunities to facilitate trade in raw materials.

European trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said new rules on energy and raw materials could also help Europe reduce its dependence on Russian energy by removing legal obstacles to US exports to the EU.