EU Gets Deal On Trans-Atlantic Trade Pact Mandate

LUXEMBOURG (AP) – The European Union has overcome French objections to agree on a free trade negotiating mandate for sweeping talks with the United States meant for next week. Under Friday’s agreement, France’s demand that the movie and television industry be kept out of the trans-Atlantic talks will stand until the EU negotiator deems it is necessary to negotiate on them.

At that point, the deeply divisive issue could resurface. The move should allow President Barack Obama and his major EU counterparts to announce the start of negotiations for a deal that could eliminate tariffs and other barriers that have long plagued economic relations.