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Agriculture still a sticking point with European Union

USDA Trade Undersecretary Ted McKinney says agriculture remains a sticking point in U.S.- European Union trade negotiations.  

“I am one that wants to advocate and have been advocating that we try and try and try again to work with them,” he says. “But it takes two to tango and so far, we’re getting the Heisman football forearm saying no, and I believe the precautionary principal has a stranglehold on Europe and I don’t see it letting go.”

He told farm broadcasters this week that the U.S. maintains that agriculture must be included.

“I think we’re in good stead there that if there’s going to be a deal, agriculture has to be part of it,” he says.

McKinney said he is not sure what the path forward is, but he’s hopeful cooler heads will prevail.