June deadline set for EU-US trade deal

An end-of-June deadline for final agreement on the mandate to start talks on the proposed EU-US trade deal, has been set by Jobs and Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton.

The minister — speaking after yesterday’s meeting of EU trade ministers at Dublin Castle — said that “real progress” has been made and that the aim is to formally agree the EU mandate before Ireland’s EU presidency closes in June.

“The Irish presidency has prioritised stability, growth and jobs. A new trade deal has the potential to provide a real boost to economic growth and job creation, without the need for increased expenditure by governments,” the minister said.