US seeks commitments on trade in agriculture goods before deal signed

US Congress will want commitments from all sides to trade in agricultural goods before it approves the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, said US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

While visiting beef and dairy farms in Kildare yesterday, Mr Vilsack also discussed the partnership talks with Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney. Covering a wide spectrum of industries, the trade deal is estimated to be worth €74bn in US-EU trade.

Mr Vilsack met with EU Agriculture commissioners and ministers as part of an informal tour of Europe this week. The US position will be that a partnership deal will hinge on openness to agricultural trade.