EU breaks its silence on trade talks with US

The EU made public yesterday confidential papers being used to negotiate a free trade deal with the United States, an unprecedented step to deflect criticism from anti-globalisation campaigners that Brussels is drawing up the world’s largest trade deal in secret.

The eight thematic texts, which set out Europe’s position in areas ranging from sanitary rules to investment in small companies, do not cover all areas of discussions and not all the ideas set out will necessarily be included in the deal.

But their release marks the most significant step by the EU in its public relations battle with a broad array of campaigners who are determined to block the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).