House Members Working on Letter to USTR on EU Trade Talk Priorities

A bipartisan quartet of House members is working to put together a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer emphasizing that any trade deal with the European Union must include agriculture. The letter is led by Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., and Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind. Lighthizer already emphasized ag in his negotiating principles (see 1901140020), but the European Union is not willing to talk about ag, it said in its principles (see 1901180022). Lead EU trade negotiator Cecilia Malmstrom has said that's because the two sides are looking for quick wins, and ag is a thorny issue. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has said that an EU trade deal cannot pass unless it includes agriculture.