Trading words to kickstart deal

AMERICAN businesses are urging the Taoiseach to kickstart negotiations on a free trade agreement between the US and EU while Ireland holds the presidency.

The head of the US Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Donohue, said there is a “friendship value” to starting talks on the long-awaited agreement while Ireland holds the reins.

But he dismissed suggestions from a source close to French President François Hollande, who hinted to this newspaper in January that Ireland’s “significant relationship with the Americans” might be used to work in the interest of the US and not Europe.