EU Chiefs to Urge Progress on U.S. Trade in 1st Half 2013

European Union leaders want progress toward a trade deal with the U.S. in the first six months of this year, an EU official said, citing draft conclusions of a two-day summit in Brussels.

The EU and U.S. will soon receive recommendations on how to advance the trade accord from a working-group report. Ireland, which holds the EU’s six-month rotating presidency, will then lead talks toward formal negotiations.

The leaders will seek immediate follow-up to the report to advance toward a comprehensive agreement, according to the draft post-summit statement.

EU leaders also will say they expect negotiations on a free-trade deal with Canada to wrap up shortly, according to the draft conclusions.

To contact the reporter on this story: Rebecca Christie in Brussels at rchristie4@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Hertling at jhertling@bloomberg.net