EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and US Trade Representative Michael Froman discussed the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) –negotiations on a sensitive issue that is finally resuming again after a pause of more than a year, reaffirming their commitment to conclude this ambitious agreement.
Regarding public procurement, Commissioner Malmström defended the EU’s trade policies, saying that no ultimatums have been made, and insisted on the idea that these policies are not intended to disadvantage the United States. Malmström said that the US resistance to put in the negotiation table an offer on public procurement is not affecting the commission to negotiate other subjects, but made clear that the European Union will not be able to conclude a deal without concessions in this area. In contraposition, the US Trade Representative has indicated that it is not willing to make a significant offer on government procurement market access in TTIP and has expressed reluctance about discussing the possibility of additional concessions with state-level officials.
source image: www.ustr.gov
